Update for today: 1) it's still raining; 2) my legs are still tight/sore (but a little bit better I think?); and 3) it IS the shoes!!! Noooo.... I should have clarified the other day, that I have two pairs of running shoes (one about 2 years old, and one about a year old, the latter I was planning on racing in) and when I slipped my older trusty pair on yesterday morning to go somewhere, my legs and feet felt fine, no dramas. However, when I put the slightly newer (but still needing to be replaced, they are well overdue too) pair on and skipped out the door to take Puppy for a quick walk when the rain subsided a bit - boom, instant calf ache/pain, and also some foot pain too (the balls of my feet). Hmmm, so it's safe to say that I will NOT be racing in these babies next week. Looks like I'll be back in my older pair, as they don't seem to give me the grief of the other ones, and for some reason don't seem too worn out? (Which is crazy as they are well, well overdue for a change.)
Yesterday we went back to the hotel pool for some excellent sauna and pool jogging/running/playing malarkey. This was GREAT, and I hope has helped my legs? Felt great to be splashing around and occasionally stretching in there too. Managed to do about 50 minutes in the pool! This was a mixture of pool running/jogging, stretching, doing random kicks while holding onto the side, and a few laps of 'proper' (sort of anyway, I am not a good swimmer AT ALL) swimming. Wow, let me just say that, after ONE lap of 'swimming', I was extremely puffed and feeling my heart rate soar, and would swiftly get back to pool jogging instead. I am not a swimmer hey. This is crazy yes? As Husband is a swimming teacher (as well as English teacher and all round Champion/wonderful man). He did try to teach me back in 2012 in New Zealand, but to be honest, I don't like swimming, so we let it slide. However, maybe, just maybe, in the future I like the idea of doing a triathlon, or, dare I even say it, an Ironman!?! So, will eventually have to conquer my fear (loathing?) of swimming.
The first 25 minutes or so in the pool were just me by myself (while Husband was sauna-ing) and, pool running by yourself? Yes, the time goes SLOWLY (I hear you, Kristina!). It was only when Husband joined me and we added in lots of funny aquarobics-style moves, and backwards jogging, funny arms/faces combos, that the time flew by. A few super-hot (are there any other types? lol) saunas later and skulling of a litre and a half of water = feeling awesome.
When we got back to school we went to the leaving 'party' for Grade 9 students (kind of a speech/presentation event with music performances etc) - these were my students last year, and now they are leaving this school in order to go on to high school next term. They are all grown up! Literally. Most of them have shot up and now tower over me.
My former student friend Jenny must have heard my call for increasing my intake of healing vitamin C and antioxidants, as she arrived early in the morning with a basket of these amazing, juicy, delicious little fruits (called 'yangmei', or red bayberries), and told us of the party later in the day and asked whether we would come. There were more in the punnet, but, erm, as previously noted - they are delicious! (Thanks Jenny!) So, a fair few have gone already:
Yesterday we went back to the hotel pool for some excellent sauna and pool jogging/running/playing malarkey. This was GREAT, and I hope has helped my legs? Felt great to be splashing around and occasionally stretching in there too. Managed to do about 50 minutes in the pool! This was a mixture of pool running/jogging, stretching, doing random kicks while holding onto the side, and a few laps of 'proper' (sort of anyway, I am not a good swimmer AT ALL) swimming. Wow, let me just say that, after ONE lap of 'swimming', I was extremely puffed and feeling my heart rate soar, and would swiftly get back to pool jogging instead. I am not a swimmer hey. This is crazy yes? As Husband is a swimming teacher (as well as English teacher and all round Champion/wonderful man). He did try to teach me back in 2012 in New Zealand, but to be honest, I don't like swimming, so we let it slide. However, maybe, just maybe, in the future I like the idea of doing a triathlon, or, dare I even say it, an Ironman!?! So, will eventually have to conquer my fear (loathing?) of swimming.
The first 25 minutes or so in the pool were just me by myself (while Husband was sauna-ing) and, pool running by yourself? Yes, the time goes SLOWLY (I hear you, Kristina!). It was only when Husband joined me and we added in lots of funny aquarobics-style moves, and backwards jogging, funny arms/faces combos, that the time flew by. A few super-hot (are there any other types? lol) saunas later and skulling of a litre and a half of water = feeling awesome.
When we got back to school we went to the leaving 'party' for Grade 9 students (kind of a speech/presentation event with music performances etc) - these were my students last year, and now they are leaving this school in order to go on to high school next term. They are all grown up! Literally. Most of them have shot up and now tower over me.
My former student friend Jenny must have heard my call for increasing my intake of healing vitamin C and antioxidants, as she arrived early in the morning with a basket of these amazing, juicy, delicious little fruits (called 'yangmei', or red bayberries), and told us of the party later in the day and asked whether we would come. There were more in the punnet, but, erm, as previously noted - they are delicious! (Thanks Jenny!) So, a fair few have gone already:
This last shot is Husband and the Principal of the school - a lovely, very chilled guy (like all the teachers here). We often call him the Prime Minister or President as we see him coming, lol, as in 'Look! It's the President!' Lovely guy, and has always made us feel very welcome and respected/valued.
It's easy to see why this town is so lush and green and colourful, what with all this rain! Here are a couple of shots that Husband took yesterday, and I love how colourful and full of plants/trees this school is:
It's easy to see why this town is so lush and green and colourful, what with all this rain! Here are a couple of shots that Husband took yesterday, and I love how colourful and full of plants/trees this school is:
Another highlight from yesterday was seeing and talking to (via the power of Skype) my BEAUTIFUL nephew! (and my bro, my sister-in-law, and my mum too, of course). He has grown up so much since I met him last year. He is about 14 months old and gorgeous. Not sure when I'll get back to England to see him in person again, so for now I suppose he'll have to go on thinking that Aunty Lou lives in the computer.
I'm off to do some (indoor and safely out of the rain) yoga now. Have a Super Saturday!!
Have you seen/tried those fruits before, where you are?
Are your relatives nearby or are you spread out across the globe too?
I'm off to do some (indoor and safely out of the rain) yoga now. Have a Super Saturday!!
Have you seen/tried those fruits before, where you are?
Are your relatives nearby or are you spread out across the globe too?
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