The last day of 2011

So today is the last day of 2011. I wonder what exciting adventures I will have in 2012?

2011 has been a good year. Some things have gone wrong but overall I have been pretty content. I start 2012 not knowing what the future holds careerwise but hopeful that things will work out. I am fortunate to have stayed on at the job I left for my teacher training as a casual member of staff so at the moment I am working part time and bringing in some money. Long term I need to find a full time job that pays a decent amount so that I can get on with life and move out from my parents' house etc. Having the casual hours at my previous job is great as it means I can do fun stuff as I have some money coming in and it gets me out the house. I think if I did not have this I would end up feeling a sense of despair.

Anyway changing the subject slightly to goals for 2012/new years resolutions.

I posted some resolutions on facebook earlier. These include walk the dog more often (my Dad walks the dog most often so this is a do more of my fair share), run another marathon as long as I am well enough to train and take a photo a day.

I think I will also add blog at least once a week. Hopefully having a set target will mean I actually do blog more often.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2012 xx

It's nearly Christmas

Wow only 2 more sleeps until Christmas. Is it just me or did 2011 go REALLY fast?

I still have presents to wrap and one missing present that I may need to replace but other than that I am pretty much ready.

I am looking forward to a nice rest over Christmas and spending time with my family. I love the family time over Christmas. Eating, drinking, playing games etc. It's brill.

Tomorrow I intend to take the dog for a nice long walk and then get on with my wrapping and whatever jobs my mother leaves for me to do whilst she is at work.

Exciting times!

Also it is my big sister's 30th birthday on Christmas day so happy birthday!

I have been pondering what to have as my new years resolutions/aims and goals for 2012. I'm still not decided so you shall have to wait and see.

baking, baking, baking

Wow have I done a lot of baking lately. Mince pies, Christmas cakes, jam tarts, jam, cookie Christmas tree, angel biscuits, reindeer cupcakes, snowmen fairy cakes, cheese straws, rocky road, flapjacks, lemon and cream sponge, plain sponge, bran buns, wholemeal bread, chocolate roulade, chocolate fudge, chocolate orange fudge, chocolate mint fudge and two attempts at vanilla fudge that failed!

As you may have now realised I love baking!
Also not all of that was for me. Most of it was for events like birthdays or people to take to work etc. Some of the stuff is for when my lovely friends come over this evening for mulled wine, mince pies and nibbles. Can't wait to see them :-)

I love baking mince pies and Christmas cakes even though I like neither. I enjoy baking anyway and they are festive so it's double enjoyment!

I have one more thing to make and then that is it until after Christmas/the new year.

2011 in survey form

Hi folks,

I have decided to do the year in survey form a bit earlier than usual this year. So here it is :-)

1. What did you do in 2011 that you had never done before?
Go to Zumba class, go to Body Combat class, teach a class, run a marathon, raise over £1000 for charity, pipe icing onto cakes, took part in a cycle challenge, grew lots of foods I had never grown before. At the moment those are all the ones I can think of

2. Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Resolutions were to socialise more: as in don't turn down offers etc. I feel I have achieved this one.
Run the London Marathon=Done
Run Swindon Half Marathon again=Done
Run Silverstone Half Marathon again=Done
Stop swearing=not done but I have cut down
Be ill less often=oops.

I haven't really decided what my resolutions are for next year. Maybe do a cake decorating course and work on my skills, apply for an allotment and get settled careerwise.

3. How will you be spending your new years eve?
At the moment I have yet to decide.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
I just stayed in England this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Ooh I don't know. Maybe a little bit more confidence in certain situations.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
17.04.11 because I ran the London Marathon that day and it was AMAZING!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running the London Marathon. Well training for it and doing it by myself :-) (had a lovely support team of friends and family on the day etc though)

9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't say I had any failures particularly. My teaching course didn't work out because I was ill but I didn't fail.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. Been poorly for the last couple of months.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gosh I really don't know so going to go for the plunger cutters I got at the good food show. Snowflakes and flowers :-)

12. Where did most of your money go?
Possibly petrol although I don't have exact figures.

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele: Someone like you. Because it has been played on the radio A LOT and I always sing along.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I don't think there is anything, I have been pretty happy this year and whilst I wish I hadn't been ill and had therefore done more of my course that is not something I can change and therefore I don't wish it.
I guess maybe exercise classes that I had to skip due to illness. But again that is a thing I couldn't have helped.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'm not sure on this one. Maybe being messy!

16. What was you favourite TV programme?
The Great British Bake Off. Brilliant show. Although also loved Kirstie's Handmade Britain.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate isn't something I do, there are some people I dislike or feel disappointed in.

18. What was the best book you read?
Room. I forget who it is by but it is a gripping read.

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't really have one! (boring I know)

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
Went to Millets farm in the day with my friend and then had a meal at home with the family in the evening I think.

22. What kept you sane?
My lovely friends and not letting myself be bothered about things I had no power to change.

23. Who did you miss?
Special people who are no longer with us.

24. Who was the best new person that you met?
There is someone who is not a close friend but is just one of those people who never fails to be cheerful. I also met loads of lovely people on my course :-)

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2011.
Feel the fear and do it anyway. Don't worry about things you can't change. Look to the future and what you can do differently next time.

I have no idea what the year 2012 will bring but I hope that with a positive attitude and determination it will be a great year. I am excited for the future.

The first update in a very long time

Hello.

Yet again I haven't updated in a very long time. I have been rather poorly and for that reason had to withdraw from my teacher training course. :-( this is sad news for me as I was really enjoying the course. Tough parts and all. At the moment I am working on getting up to full health.

Since I got over the worst of my illness I have been baking to keep myself occupied. I am starting to get bored of not having my usual energy and therefore not being able to do stuff. I haven't exercised for 8 weeks now. I really miss it. I was going to 3-4 exercise classes a week over the summer and then at least 2 classes once I had started my school placement. Hopefully I can get back to it in the new year.

I have had a lot of support from my friends with regards to having to withdraw from the course and also them coming over for cups of tea etc to keep me company. I am a lucky girl to have such great friends. :-)

There are two bonuses to being ill 13lb weight loss (although I've had my appetite back the last few weeks so now only 6.5lb weight loss) and I have got most of my Christmas shopping done as had time to shop online.

Don't have a lot else to say really as will just be trying to get better and ready for Christmas over the next few weeks.

Marathon number two!

Hello everyone

I am a total blog neglector...I am currently training to be a teacher and am 4 weeks into my course and therefore very busy.

Anyway when I got home on Thursday I had a letter/magazine of acceptance to the London Marathon 2012. Woohoo.

Its really hard to get into so I know I am really lucky to get in again and am grateful for it.

I know some people say it is selfish to apply when you have already ran it once but there are many people who have done it loads and loads of times and frankly for once I think I'd like to be selfish!

I am so super excited.

I am going to start training now ready to start a proper training plan at the beginning of January. I would really like to get a better time this time. I am also intending to record my weight and waist measurements before my first run and regularly during training. I am going to record time spent running and distances and keep a diary so that when it gets to marathon day I can say I've spent X many hours training and covered X many miles.

I am so excited for this challenge :-)

101 in 1001 update and suggestions for a new list please

My 101 in 1001 list runs out on 13th September. I thought now would be a good time to blog on how I got on and also to start writing my new list.

Items in bold are completed.

1. complete a half marathon (I have actually completed 4 of them in the time this 101 list has been going)
2. graduate from university
3. walk/cycle everywhere for one week. Not sure whether this has been done or not.
4. go on holiday abroad.
5. continue to give blood regularly
6. make baked alaska
7. make a gingerbread and sweetie house
8. type all the recipes out from Gran's recipe book
9. make the wartime fudge from Gran's recipe book.
10. go to the beach
11. make Christmas dinner
12. only eat homebaked bread for 1 month
13. make jam
14. learn some basic Italian
15. go sledging
16. learn to play squash
17. eat 5 a day fruit/veg every day for 1 month
18. eat 3 a day dairy every day for 1 month
19. complete a full marathon
20. go camping
21. go on the London eye
22. teach Milo to roll over properly
23. journal properly for one month
24. cook a new recipe once a month
25. join the bone marrow donor register: this is not done as I am not eligible but I did however have to enquire to find this out and am therefore calling this done as I would have joined if I was eligible
26. go crabbing
27. watch the sunrise
28. go horseriding
29. don't eat meat for one week (another I can't remember if I have done it one)
30. go ice skating
31. bake something for Milo to eat from the dog treats recipe book
32. cycle to Kimmi's house
33. climb a tree
34. make my own mulled wine
35. go to Scotland
36. go Carol singing with Laura
37. go rollerskating
38. buy someone some flowers
39. read all of The Lord of The Rings
40. go for one month without eating any chocolate
41. buy something with the £50 Nan gave me for my 18th
42. play the lottery ten times over the 1001 days
43. keep a record of everything I spend for one week
44. paint a picture
45. spend an entire day in my pjs
46. take part in a conservation project
47. eat oily fish twice a week for 6 weeks
48. take an evening class
49. get a manicure
50. go to York again
51. climb Ben Nevis
52. bake a cake for someone
53. make my own sweets
54. watch all 3 lord of the rings films in a row
55. make a massive sandcastle
56. go on a ghost tour
57. watch the Hunchback of Notre Dame
58. watch all of the Labyrinth
59. walk around Grasmere and Rydal Water
60. buy something designer
61. do karaoke again
62. have a weekend in a new city
63. make my own tiramisu
64. try yoga
65. make pretzels
66. get into my old jeans
67. customise something
68. get something from Tiffany's
69. make my own nutella type thing
70. spend one day a week off facebook for 6 weeks
71. enter more competitions
72. make flat chips
73. feed the birds
74. have a tapas night
75. read 101 books over the 1001 days
76. epilate my legs at least 20 times over the 101 days
77. do some regular volunteer work
78. go on a lot more walks to different places locally
79. go to Warwick castle again
80. go to Birmingham shopping
81. have a barbecue
82. cook over a camp fire
83. make a themed cake
84. make chocolate truffles
85. buy some more matching underwear
86. visit Stonehenge again
87. visit Liverpool
88. visit Blackpool
89. go at least one day a week without eating chocolate for 3 months
90. make my own cereal bars
91. throw a 3 course dinner party
92. learn to change a tyre
93. have a poker night
94. learn to play chess
95. throw a proper slumber party
96. visit Ireland
97. Learn to play 10 songs on the piano
98. see a Shakespeare play at The Globe
99. make a bracelet
100. go to a pub quiz
101. on day 1001 write a new list: I am currrently writing it and will definitely do

My beautiful garden

Tomatoes growing

The courgette I harvested to go in my roasted veg for dinner

My coriander plant in flower :)

Growing my own is proving fun and (excuse the pun) fruitful. I have so far harvested two courgettes and there are plenty more at various stages of growth.

I have only got 4 tomatoes between my two plants at the moment but there are plenty of flowers on them which should mean plenty of tomatoes soon.

My pepper plants (capsicum) have grown more quickly since I discovered they should be watered twice a day and started doing so.

My runner bean plants produced their first two flower buds on Monday so I am looking forward to seeing some beans soon.

Carrots are still small but seem to be growing well.

I got some more herbs to add to my collection: curry plant, basil purple ruffles and chocolate peppermint.

I did buy an aubergine plant recently but it died :( I've been very lucky with all my other plants so I can't complain really, although it does feel like a waste of money.

I have done well though as the tomato plants and runner bean plants were given to me by someone who didn't have room for them so were pretty much free. I agreed I'd give them some of the produce to say thanks.

A Stressful day

I just typed out a post about my stressful day. However upon typing it out I feel a bit better.
It was stressful but also got a couple of important things done.
Feel like I need another day off to recover now though!

Thoughts

Hi everybody,

Here I am updating! Please don't faint in shock.

I am on a day off today as I am working tomorrow and Sunday. I got up at 8.20 this morning and put my rabbit in his run, fed him and changed his water. Then I had breakfast and read the paper for a bit before having my shower.

I went into town to get a birthday card for somebody and some food shopping.

I also got some compost for my plants. It was my birthday last week and I asked for herbs so I could make a herb garden. I was already growing coriander and thyme but I now also have garlic chives, basil, tarragon, oregano, dill, rosemary, sage, mint and parsley. Last week I planted the ones that were seeds and repotted the ones that were given to me as plants. I am also growing strawberries which I got in a set for my birthday, no signs of life yet but fingers crossed. I am growing courgettes, green beans and sweet peppers as well. Todays job was to thin out the pepper plants and repot them which I did. I was also going to repot my coriander but it looked very much like rain so I retreated inside. I'm really hoping to have a good crop.

I have eaten a lot of cake, sweets and big meals over the last week due to my birthday and my mum's birthday the day after. It was fun but I seriously need to rein in my eating habits at least a bit. Since the marathon 5 weeks ago I have put on 6lbs! I cannot carry on at this rate.

Last night I had the option of eating at home or at the pub when we went for the quiz (some of my friends were back late from a conference and had no time to cook), I chose to eat before the pub in order to save money and be healthy. Everyone elses pub meals looked lovely but today I am pleased with my decision. It wasn't being unsociable as we were doing the quiz whilst the food came out and the focus was the quiz rather than going out for a meal as such.

I have vowed not to eat any junk today. I am also trying to spread out what I eat today. So far so good. Weetabix for breakfast then a tuna sandwich on warm granary bread that I made in the breadmaker. I'm going to have a banana in a little bit. For dinner we are having pork with wholewheat couscous and ratatouille. I may have mentioned our ratatouille before, we don't use any salt at all even though traditional recipes suggest plenty of it. We also put in sweet potato and some chilli powder and oh my it is delicious. Last time I made it I took a risk and instead of using oil to cook with I used some boiling water, I then worried it would not taste nice but it tasted just as delicious and I saved a load of calories. I'm really looking forward to our dinner tonight.
I am going to a barbecue tomorrow night so can enjoy the food more if I know I was very good today.

I have been cycling to work a lot lately which is cool as it saves money, helps the environment and burns calories. Win, win, win. I think it can be very difficult to exercise regularly when you work shifts. I have only been running once a week since the marathon. I want to get back into running a bit more often but at the same time I am really enjoying not having to go for a long run every weekend and not having to run x many times per week. I have been for a couple of bike rides for exercise and have some more planned so maybe I should aim to cycle twice a week and run twice a week.

Whilst I want to lose weight I also want to eat healthily and exercise because it is good for me.

Hello my name is Sophie and I am a marathon runner

Hello!

I am officially a marathon runner. Four weeks ago today I ran/walked the 26.2miles of the London Marathon. It was hard, fun, sad, happy and most of all an amazing experience and a day I will remember forever.

I am still so proud of myself.

Four weeks until my first marathon!

Oh my goodness. My marathon is only four weeks away. Last year when I had to defer my place to this year due to illness I was very upset as it seemed so long away. That time sure has flown by. It doesn't seem real that this big event that I have been talking about for so long will soon actually happen. Do I feel ready? Yes and no. I feel like I can do it but it will be hard and I wish I was fitter. I do think that however fit I was I would feel that so I am not going to worry.

I have got a 13 miler to do tomorrow then the next long run I will be doing next Saturday is 18 miles. The weekend after I run 10 miles, then weekend after a 50minute run at marathon pace and finally the weekend after is the real thing. I have followed a beginners/just get round training plan. I am aiming for between 6 hours and 6 hours 30minutes. At the moment life is about eating plenty of nutritious foods and looking after my body. I can't afford to be getting a cold or anything and my body needs the right foods to keep it going on runs and to heal itself afterwards. My mind boggles at the thought of running 26.2 miles and I am sure I will be emotional before the start, during and definitely after but I know myself, I know I will keep going no matter what because that determination burns inside of me. I can do this and I will. And it will feel great to show those doubters out there that I was right!

I can't wait to be able to say I've run a marathon. I have a lot of supportive friends and family and am so lucky to have them. I expect they will be looking forward to the time when I don't talk about the marathon practically every day!

I am running for the special care baby charity Bliss who are a great cause. If you would like to sponsor please comment and I will send you the link. Thanks.

Run run run

Hello folks,

Yet again I have neglected my blog. I have just felt so busy all the time. I am training 5 days a week for my marathon which is in 5 weeks and 3 days time (wow that has come around fast) I am both nervous and excited. I am aiming for any time under 7 hours which will seem ridiculously long to most people but I will definitely be needing a few walking breaks and will be very proud of myself just for finishing. I ran a half marathon on Sunday and managed to run the furthest ever in my whole life without a walking break. Very proud of myself. It was nice as I ran with two friends who definitely motivated me and encouraged me. I think it will be tough not to have a friend to run with in the marathon.

Tonight I made a risotto for dinner, it was the first time I had ever made or in fact eaten risotto and it was delicious. Enough leftovers for 2 more meals which I am freezing for when I am on late shifts and need something quick.

I'm on the late shift tomorrow and it is then my weekend off. I am going out for a meal Saturday night and so far no plans for Sunday other than the 10mile run that my training plan informs me of.

I'm then working Monday and Tuesday before some annual leave I am taking to use up before the end of our holiday year (which is end of March). I have some plans with friends which I am looking forward to. I am also starting a beginners jog group next week as I am a qualified jog group leader. It will be the first course I have lead so shall be challenging but I think I am well prepared.

I hope everyone is well and that I update again soon.

Review of 2010 in survey form (better late than never)

Hi Folks,

I'm afraid to say that yet again I have fallen off the blogging regualarly wagon. The next ten days or so are very busy for me and I have a couple of important events. After those are done I hope to blog a bit more often. For now I give you 2010 in survey form.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?
Had an ultrasound scan, got a pet rabbit, went to spinning classes not sure what else! That is a bit of a random mix.

2. Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for next year?
The two I can remember are cut down on swearing which I managed for quite a while but have since not done so well on and the other was to run the London Marathon which I didn't as I had to defer my place to this year due to illness.
My aims for 2011 are be ill less often, socialise more, stop swearing, run the Silverstone and Swindon half marathons again and run the London Marathon.

3. How will you be spending your new years eve?
I went to a masked ball at a club, it was good fun.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
Wales.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More energy and the ability to run the London Marathon.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
There isn't one particular date that will remain forever. Although my friend got married in the summer and I am sure I will remember that day :).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This one is difficult to say, losing a stone and keeping it off is good. Also getting better at running, training as a jog group leader and Nordic walking group leader were both daunting things but I am proud I did them.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't say I had any massive failures but I was a bit boring this year due to tiredness hence my resolution to socialise more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had ongoing problems at the start of the year which are now pretty much under control(yippee). I also had a few minor injuries. In December I had the flu pretty bad and fainted at work banging my head pretty hard.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
At the moment I can't think of anything in particular that I bought, I'm sat here with my latex free hot water bottle keeping me warm and I use that all the time so I will say that that is fab.

12. Where did most of your money go?
On this I am not sure, probably car stuff or food.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Don't stop believing.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Getting out there and living my life

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being ill!

16. What was you favourite TV programme?
One born every minute or biggest loser.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate isn't something I do, there are some people I dislike or feel disappointed in.

18. What was the best book you read?
I can't even remember what books I read now sorry folks!

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not sure!

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Shrek forever after, I laughed so much the first time I saw it.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
I went to work and then had a birthday meal with my family in the evening.

22. What kept you sane?
Sleep!

23. Who did you miss?
Friends that live far away.

24. Who was the best new person that you met?
My friend Amy, I met her in 2009 but we only really got to know each other in 2010 and she has become one of my best friends.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2010.
Be who you want to be, only you can make this happen.