Challenges

I confess I have mixed feelings tonight. My race number and timing chip arrived today for next weekend's 10k and while I'm excited, I'm also apprehensive.

It's my first ever proper race and so far I've only actually run 10k two times ever.

I was out for a run tonight after work but I ran out of energy (pardon the pun) really quickly and struggled to do 3.5 miles. My time was ok, but my stamina wasn't. Although to be fair, only having a small cup of soup for lunch probably didn't help.

When I first said I'd try the race my ago was to finish. Since then my friends have persuaded me that as well as aiming to finish I should be aiming for a time too.

So, ever competitive with myself, I'm hoping to finish the race in under 60 minutes. Unfortunately, my pace is just over that at the moment and isn't showing any signs of improving. I'm told the adrenaline on the day will carry me through. I'm not so sure but watch this space next Sunday and I'll let you know.

Where does the day go?

And the minutes and the hours and the weeks?

I can't believe it's over a week already since I got back from my fabulous holiday in Spain. (I promise I will stop mentioning it soon) So what have I been doing with my time? Where has it all gone?

Well, a lot of what I've been doing has been working. I sometimes wonder if going away on holiday is a good idea or not, when you end up coming back to all the work that mounts up while you're away. With the added complexity of trying to remember what it is you were doing before you went! I've had some fairly long days since coming back, a completely full schedule and some tricky issues to deal with. I've also had some fun along the way and some (mini) successes - which is always good.

I'll not bore you with the details, but I'm smiling to myself at something I did yesterday - possibly against my better judgement but... As fans of West Wing will know, it's never a good idea in your work capacity to engage with blogs. By engaging I mean responding. Well, yesterday I did a Joshua and responded in my official capacity to a blog post. Today I sat back and watched the fun! Tomorrow I'll probably regret it, but for now, it's kind of fun.

As well as work, I've been cooking, dancing, running and crocheting. I've also been reading, something I managed not to do much of on holiday unusually for me. Inevitably, I'm reading about Spain! What I've not managed to do is write another chapter for my collaborative book project. But give me time!

But I'm also looking forward - not to wish time away, but genuinely excited about a few things coming up - my first competitive race next weekend, Scotland's first Tango Festival next year, hopefully a trip to see big sis and family at Christmas/New Year and maybe another visit to Spain too at some point.

And that's not even mentioning housework, admin, emails, blogging, chatting to friends, catching up, grocery shopping. (Although mercifully not washing the car since the neighbour's kid has very kindly offered to do it for me - I think in return for not shopping him to his folks about the party he's planning for this weekend while they're away!)

So that's where it goes then!

Worth coming home for

After a hard (and long) day at the office, what was waiting for me on my doormat but a nice, shiny copy of my new magazine subscription, Inside Crochet. Great way to end the day!

Falling headlong ...

...into autumn. (By the way, isn't autumn a great word. But not as good as autumnal)

Anyway, I noticed when I was out for my run this evening (6 miles in 61 minutes since you asked), that autumn is definitely on its way now. All around me the leaves are starting to turn a golden colour and begin their descent from the trees. We've got a windy night outside tonight, so I'm fully expecting to see leaves everywhere when I head in to work tomorrow (on my way to work that is, not in the office - unless I forgot to close the window that is). And there's a chill edge to the air these days too - particularly at the beginning and end of it. It might warm up in the middle, but there's no wandering around without a coat for the rest of the time anymore.

Other hints have been the abundance of the apples on next door's apple tree (I must try to get a photo, it has to be seen to be believed), my tomato crop and the advent of the brambles/blackberries all over the place.

I always find it strange at this time of year. Just when we've got used to the warmer weather, all too quickly it's scooting away and winter is soon on it's way. The evenings are already noticeably drawing in - my evening run has to be started by 7 pm now or it's too dark to get round and back comfortably. Before long, it will be back out with the scarves and hats and gloves, misty breath and (with any luck) crisp white mornings and clear blue skies again. And I'll need to remember where I stored the winter part of my all seasons duvet.

But for now, it's autumnal. And hopefully will be for a while yet. A reminder to make sure I get out during the day a bit more to keep my sunshine intake up and to enjoy the last few warm days of the year.

Sunday pleasures

Long lie, slow awakenings, coffee out, music, portable yarn project. What could be better?

Oh yes, 2 hour tango workshop!

Happy Sunday, everyone.
And apologies to my readers with little people and without lazy Sunday privileges! There are benefits to solo living.

Back to life..

...back to reality! (Reference, anyone?)

Ok, so I'm back from my wonderful amazing adventure of a holiday to Spain, and this is where real life kicks back in. Thursday at work was not a great welcome back, and I sorely wished I could head back to Spain again. But hey, I guess that's work and it's what I need to do to keep a roof over my head and to earn the pennies for more fun and adventures.

Other than work, what's it been like? Well, I was shocked by what a mess the flat was when I got back. I must have literally run out of the door when I left for the midnight train. First order of business, therefore, was unpacking, washing and tidying/cleaning the flat.

The next priority was getting some food in - which I managed to do on Friday after work. I seem to have been incredibly efficient at running down my stocks before holiday. I was mighty pleased, therefore, that I'd stocked up the freezer with meals. At least I wouldn't starve.

And otherwise, it's just been a case of getting back into everyday life. I got out for a run this morning, which was good since I have the Stirling 10k to look forward to in 2 weeks time. This morning's run wasn't that encouraging - a very heavy going 4 miles in 45 minutes with legs that felt like blocks of lead. On the other hand, being able to run 4 miles after a 3 week break in not far off my normal pace isn't too shoddy. I celebrated by going out for a coffee to my favourite coffee shop, and taking back my (overdue) library books - although nothing like as overdue as a friend of mine just experienced!

The other pleasant surprise of coming home was to find that my tomato plant far from being over and done, was just coming into its own. The picture above is off the first crop - or more accurately what's left of the first crop once I'd stopped 'just eating one' on my way in and out of the flat. There's about the same again on the plant still to ripen too.

Also pictured above are some of the squares I did manage to make while I was on holiday for my latest yarn project. As regular readers will know, it was too hot to do much crochet and in any case there wasn't much time left for it what with all the sightseeing, eating and blogging!

On which final point, many thanks for all the lovely feedback I've had about my blog. It's been fun to do and I'm glad that at least some of you have enjoyed it. The challenge will be to keep it going without the inspiration of a holiday to motivate me. For something slightly different, you could always try taking a look at the collaborative book writing experiment I've got going on my other blog.

And home!

Some thoughts of Spain 2010
Originally uploaded by bexybeads

So, here I am back home again after a truly wonderful holiday in Spain for the last 2 weeks. I've already blogged my reflections on it - a bit premature I know but I was feeling reflective. What can I say?!

The journey back was relatively uneventful, although the slight hitch at the bus station this morning when I found out the bus I wanted to catch was full was a bit anxiety provoking. Fortunately I'd built in sufficient time for delays so even with the bus an hour later being half an hour late arriving I still got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Phew! The bonus was that the bus actually went direct to the airport instead of me having to change in Malaga. If I hadn't had to get a later bus I probably wouldn't have known - so it must have been fate.

And the flight with EasyJet was surprisingly, well, easy. Arrived ahead of time back in Glasgow, caught the city bus almost straight away and then straight onto a train back to Stirling. Couldn't have been simpler.

So now I'm home, unpacked, washing done (first load at least) and house cleaned - to remove the grime that I appear to have left when I departed on holiday 2 weeks ago. And only 1 spider to deal with too!!

Let's hope work is as easy tomorrow...

(By the way, anyone else think it's chilly here??)