Not a natural runner…

I have a big run plan set for 2022 , lots of events in the diary culminating in the big marathon I seem to have been training forever for due to covid and foot fractures. I am quite excited but I am by no means a natural runner . I twist and turn between love and hate over and over. If I could transcript my thoughts during a run I think they would read strikingly similar to this .

WAKE UP : Wow brand new day , have a run scheduled best get it done first thing so it’s out of the way and I can’t make excuses up to myself not to run.

GET READY : arrrgghh where the hell are my fave leggings ? The ones with the deep pocket for my phone and aren’t too tight on the tummy ??? My god sports bras and sizeable boobs are hard work . I’m going to struggle to get the bra off once it’s on ….hmmm maybe that guy was right when he said I was the wrong shape to be a runner …right I am good to go , wonder how cold it is and if I need a little jacket, ah no I’ll work harder if I’m a bit chilly will soon warm up!

30 MINS LATER : Sat in full run gear sat on the sofa staring at the wall, daydreaming .

30 MINS AFTER THAT : Still sat staring at the wall daydreaming .

OUT THE DOOR : Ooo should take a pic is a run still a run without photographic evidence ?? Man I look a bit rough , why did I choose such an unglamorous hobby ?

FIRST MILE : I effing hate running , hate it !! I could be on the sofa eating crisps right now .

My trainers feel a bit strange maybe I should just go home.

Knew I should have brought my jacket maybe should call it a day and head back.

Arrgghh wrong playlist ,I need Missy Elliott right now this is total bs !!

What is even the point of running , it’s just getting from A to B just a bit faster.

My bra strap is rubbing that’s not good maybe I should get a new sports bra and hold off running until after that?

I honestly just don’t think it’s meant to be today ,let’s just stop and go home

Think I’m going to give up running anyway,stick to yoga!

ONE SINGLE FOOTSTEP OVER A MILE :

Isn’t running the most amazing thing , I feel so great right now! I just bloody love running , maybe I’ll do more than one marathon ….oooo maybe next year I could run like half a dozen , maybe I’ll do an ultra!!!

END OF RUN : Yes!!! Check out this running high , I feel amazing . I’m going to do some strength work this afternoon , probably a yoga session, maybe even a HIIT class as I feel so strong and amazing and unstoppable .Just sit of the sofa and drink my water then back to it.

30 MINS LATER : Sat on the sofa in (now pretty gross) running gear ….staring at the wall , mustering up the energy to run a bath.

You see what I mean , not at all a born runner but I try !!

I’ll never be speedy (I blame the pesky boobs) but I’ll be there ,giving it a go !!

Here’s to a no covid cancelling , injury free run year!!!

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So that was 40….

I turned 40 a year ago, give a day or 2. I really didn’t want it to be a mopey ‘oh no I’m getting old’ thing so I decided to make a list of things I was going to do when I turned 40. I was so excited to see how many I could tick off my list.

Optimistic to say the least!

Then. Obviously 2020 happened.

A worldwide pandemic.

No marathons were run, no new countries visited. I didn’t even finish the book despite being stuck in for months as my creativity took a holiday (lucky it!)

However I am a silver linings kind of a woman. It’s probably quite an annoying trait to those around me but I like to try to find a positive in crappy situations. My list of when I turn 40 achievements remains unticked. It’ll keep for 41.

I’ve just achieved different things in my year of being 40 is all.

I’m still running

I’m still running though I have to admit to not exactly training. With the marathon now next October some of the motivation simply isn’t there. I’m not trying to get faster, I’m not running longer I’m just ticking along. I’ve a new improved marathon training plan though (you can tell its serious because I got the glitter pens out to make it) It’s there, ready to go starting on my 41st birthday along with my trusty podcasts

I’ve read a lot

I know! I know! I always read a lot. At the beginning of the first lockdown though I just couldn’t. I had no concentration. I couldn’t write, I couldn’t read. My new hobby became vacantly staring at the wall. Thankfully that didn’t last and I’ve read some fantastic books. I’ll probably write a book round up of the year so I’ll not go on too much but my favourite book of the year so far is A Love Story for Bewildered Girls by Emma Morgan. It was so beautiful and the characters are so well written. I adored every chapter.

Fave book of the year!

I’ve enjoyed the Internet

My name is Kelly and I am a social media addict. I’m still in a mood with Instagram after I accidentally deleted my account last year and had to start from scratch. I’m here by the way, do find me. I’m going to make an effort with it honestly. Twitter is my absolute fave, honestly it’s like a big group of really cool friends who don’t require any real life maintenance.

Living.

The.

Dream.

Lockdown and quarantine has not made me crave human contact no, thanks for asking!. My love for Twitter is steadfast, I know some think it’s a big mean horrible cesspit of a site. Parts of it are, however over the years I have nurtured my little part of it to be filled with general lovliness and great chat. Twitter is also my go to for TV, book and film recommendations. It’s brilliant. It’s not just social media that’s helped in these weird times though. We’ll hurry by the Etsy habit I have developed and instead say its been great through the madness to rely on my family group chat. A great source of happiness and giggles although I worry were anyone outside it to read it we’d all be sectioned (at best) We jumped on the family quiz bandwagon too and I have loved that so much (probably way more than the rest of them if truth be told!)

I’ve enjoyed being me

I know that probably sounds a bit odd. Lockdown though? Social distancing , keeping people at a distance and not leaving the house. Well welcome to my world. This is how I live my life the majority of the time anyway and now it was government guidelines. Added to that my poor children were forced to hang out with me at home it’s like my evil plan has finally come together. It’s been a good time to be an antisocial hermit! I’ve not had to make up an excuse as to why I don’t want to do something for months!! I do miss going out to eat and theatre and about half a dozen people but other than that I’ve just realised that I really am a big fan of who I am and how I live my life. Your 40s are meant to be about self love right??

My things to do when I turn 40 list is now a when I’m 41 list. However being 40 has been pretty good regardless. Here’s to 41, lots of continued time at home but added dates and theatre and yes I hope I’ll finally get to run that bloody marathon! Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say. Maybe 40 has changed me after all?!

Podcasts that very nearly make you forget that you’re exercising ….

Before I begin , I must draw emphasis to the fact the title does clearly state ‘almost’ makes you forget you’re exercising . Nothing actually makes me forget I’m exercising . Mainly because I hate it I hate it I hate it !!….or at least I think I do when I’m getting to my limits and am tired. Yet the second I get to my limit ….pass my limit at times and especially when I’ve finished a run or a hard workout my first thoughts are *insert thought bubble here *

“Wow i feel SO good ”

“When can i next do that?”

“There is nothing in the world I couldn’t do right now”

“I am actually superwoman”

That’s where it grabs you .

I am currently training for a marathon. You can read here about the list of things I vowed to do when I turned 40. Run a marathon was one ….eeekk and sometimes you’ve just gotta put your money where your mouth is !!

Marathon training when you’re not really an exercise freak and chips are way more appealing than lacing up the run shoes is hard . Once upon a time I was someone who gave up too easily on things that were hard . Seems those days are gone . So here I am , someone not keen on the thought of exercise training to run a ridiculous amount of miles round Manchester.

I started by listening to music as I run which is great because there’s a rhythm to follow and a good song will even have me speed these lazy legs up. As much as running to music does motivate me , bursts of 4 mins a song just make my brain calculate how many more of these bloody songs before I can sit down?

So one day I tried a podcast and I found them so good for drawing you in and paying attention and listening (there’s no real need for me to actively listen to songs I’ve heard a thousand times ) I honestly can momentarily forget the legs are moving so enthralled into the podcast I am.

Safety advice : obviously be enthralled but aware ….roads , tree branches , dogs , other people etc are all hazardous .

I thought I could share my current faves in case you guys are looking for something to listen to whilst exercising . Or in the bath/on the train you don’t even have to exercise !! Only I do because I wrote a daft list.

Bloody marathon.

Anyway here they are :

Unfiltered with James O’Brien

A great episode that I loved was with Caitlin Moran. I love listening to anything she has to say anyway but this was a really good interview. The list of episodes though is a real who’s who of interesting people …if that’s your thing.

The Guilty Feminist

A great listen for the flawed feminists among us . Each episode beginning with I’m a feminist but…..

There are 179 episodes of this podcast at the moment so you can just have a flick through and find which ones stand out to you. A hell of lot of funny women in one place . If you’re anything like me you’ll start with the intention of just listening to one and lose yourself in this podcast.

How to Fail with Elizabeth Day

This is a new one I’ve just discovered. I came across it on Twitter when I saw my ultimate fantasy bff Marian Keyes was on an episode , and what an episode . It was a really touching , raw interview and I immediately got looking for who else had been on . The Lily Allen episode was another heart wrenching listen.

Mad World with Bryony Gordon

A refreshingly honest podcast where celebrities discuss their struggles and wins with mental illness . Prince Harry was the very first guest and I was really surprised with how open he was . Will Young talking about his ptsd was of interest to me and Scarlett Curtis discussing chronic illness and depression was inspirational.

Happy Place with Fearne Cotton

This is a recently discovered one for me . A lockdown discovery! I find that Fearne has the most soothing voice anyway ,I could listen to her talk for hours. This podcast is really great though not just because of that. I caught the Russell Brand lockdown episode and enjoyed so much I started going through the whole back catalogue in some kind of binge . I highly recommend the Daisy May Cooper episode.

Shagged Married Annoyed with Rosie and Chris Ramsey

I have saved the best for last here. My goodness if you are having a bad day and are in need of a giggle this is the one for you. Although on the exercise front I have had to stop running to laugh or guffawed in the gym like a maniac more than once. It reminds me of listening to my sis and her other half bickering and laughing ! This one though , not for anyone offended by crudity..stay away if that’s you . If it isn’t then you , my gorgeous friends , are welcome.

So there we are a genius trick to take your mind off the fact you are so fed up of exercise ….and what’s the point anyway and who’s stupid idea was a marathon anyway !!

* I listen on Spotify but sure they’re all available on the Apple thing too

Obviously this isn’t an ad , what would anyone want with me ? I’m just sharing the love !!

If I’m missing out on anymore amazing podcasts do let me know ….I’ve a lot of marathon hours to fill…..

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