Monthly musing: February

This month definitely felt that winter is never ending, but with the first appearance of daffodils making an appearance outside, we'll soon have spring in our step. After all, February is the most romantic month of the year!

This time of the year can be wet, cold, and miserable. The celebration of new beginnings that come with New Year is long gone and we're all quite often back to our old ways despite trying! Well, until around Pancake Day, when we're given another opportunity to better ourselves, thanks to Lent!

I actually rather enjoy this bleak and grey time of year! Because I love wrapping up warm and the cosy feeling that partners it. Still, how to keep yourself entertained when it's cold outside without eventually getting serious cabin fever?

By reading!!!!!!!!

I been very busy with my running this month. Nearly every Saturday I go and run a 5K mostly walking and a bit of running. I'm only halfway in my couch to 5K! Which can go a bit better, had the most popular and dreaded injury which is the one and only shin splints.

We had snow! Told you we will have snow sometime. Though it snowed, stayed for a while then melted. So didn't really enjoyed the essence of it, apart from making footprints in the snow. I couldn't even make an angel. Oh, i'm not that childish.

I got to spend time with my Dad during the half term. Little things matter. He works very hard at his new job up here in Newcastle and work on shifts so one week he works from 6am to sometime in the afternoon. Then the next week from 2pm to anything in late evening (which is a bonus) to early morning the next day. Thankfully, during the half term, Dad worked on the later shift. Which meant that I had to share my cake. I didn't bake the cake it's was on a special offer in Asda and I really fancied carrot cake. Typical though, when you really want something you cannot find it or they don't have it in stock.  Though no one complained about black forest gateau. Especially because I paid.

Happy time and clock!!!!!!!!

This was the month where I got ID, to go to a nightclub and get drunk Would I do a thing like that? Though on a more honest approach, I actually got ID to go a to a pub with my Mum for a evening drink before getting a bite to eat. I only went to the pub to drink a soft drink.

I went to see two good films though very hard hitting and very emotional. Though I'm sure I cry at anything. I watched 'Loving' which is  true story about a young couple Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter. They lived a modest life in Virginia, not bothering anyone, just going quietly about their business. Yet one night police raided their home and arrested them both. Their crime? Richard was white and Mildred was black. Their interracial marriage violated state law. The Loving’s mission to have their relationship recognised as legitimate would take over a decade and go all the way to the Supreme Court. If you are feeling like the world is in an worthless place right now, Loving is a welcome reminder that things can get better. People can be good. The ungenuine don't always win.

I also watched 'I, Daniel Blake' Daniel Blake has worked as a carpenter for most of his life in Newcastle. Now, for the first time ever, he needs help from the State. He crosses paths with a single mother Katie and her two young children, Daisy and Dylan. Katie's only chance to escape a one-roomed homeless hostel in London has been to accept a flat in a city she doesn't know, some 300 miles away. Daniel and Katie find themselves in no-man's land, caught on the barbed wire of welfare bureaucracy as played out against the rhetoric of 'striver and skiver' in modern day Britain. The film shows the nitty and gritty bits of the benefits system. Which needs to be changed? Another post, coming later on this!

My song, this month is very childish though very good fun. I help out with messy church which is every third Wednesday of the month. The leaders finished early and didn't know how to entertain the children for five minutes. So I said, well I know a camp song though it's highly addictive and will get on the parents nerves. It was good fun dancing to the penguin song even more so watching the children participate even the adults.

My parents and I, occasionally have a music night by using Youtube. Unfortunately they put me in charge which means I can play wacky songs playing. My two favorite songs at the moment, is the penguin song, and Run, run, run my Michael Lewis. And yes, the penguin song got played my Dad has that song in his head.

It's about two or three weeks with no reading. I went to the library yesterday to find out that I had a hefty fine to pay. The modern library have a self service system so no more stamp date at the front of the book which I am used to. Though found a good book to read which is, 'Why we run a story of an obsession by Robin Harvie.

Shall I say quote of the Month or text of the month? "Also why as the bananas gone bananas? (That's not a joke) They somehow half peeled!"

Another running event

Does that not give you an idea?

Does ask me to translate it, i'm no good at Geordie than you are. Though what I do know is that I am running Blaydon race (10K). In total I am running 3 events this year. I am doing Blaydon race, 10K in July as part of the great north run and of course the great north run. So not only I have to train for running the half marathon I have to learn the song.

On that note, i'm off learning the song. Sorry friends and family you may have this song in your head.

Just keep running

Or should I say "Just keep swimming" The phrase is not mine it's from our little fish friend Dory. I still haven't watched the film Finding Dory.

I was getting used to my walk and run drills with my zombies training and getting chased by zombies. I am now on week four on my running to 5k plan. This week has put me where I just starting running for my first ever time. I wasn't doing my normal walk and run drill oh no! It was more complex than that. It went something like this:
1) 5 minutes walking
2) 5 minutes free form run (which I ran the whole time)
3) 1 minute slow walk and then 1 minute fast walk then 10 kneel lifts. Oh and repeat that five times. See it's not that hard.

I want to run, i kept saying myself

Now it's time for some running.

1) 30 seconds s-l-o-w run
2) 1 minute walking
Then repeat that 5 times, oh and running up an hill. Hills are evil. Even cycling up then and running. Walking is bearable. If that is such thing.

Now it's time to do some serious running, 15 minutes free form running. OK, maybe I spoke to early about I want to run. My legs were aching and moaning. Though I just had the scene from finding nemo where Dory says 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming' So I kept saying to myself keep running, keep running.

The more steps I take the more badges I get on my Fitbit. I am not obsessed with my fitbit.

On that note, I am off either for a run or a walk to get my 10,000 badge.  Told you, I'm not obsessed with Fitbit.

I made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deep breath.

Physiotherapy, O.F. (2014) RUN FREE™ program and RUN FREE™ running assessments. Available at: http://www.orionfamilyphysio.com/services/additional-specialties/running-assessment-and-running-free-program/ (Accessed: 9 February 2017).

I am officially doing the Great North run this year on the 10th September. All I have to do is put one step in front of the other numerous times to the finish line. How hard can it be?

My training is going very well, I did had a hiccup after my park run where my body was rebelling at me. 'Hey, you are taking it too far, please rest.' By rest I had no choice. Never mind. My body and I have been working things out. I just need to try and workout if my ears are ok to go for a swim. Apparently swimming is good for especially if you are running. If not cycling is another good thing to do. Can I trust myself not to get lost? Probably not! I will just to do Yoga, which funny enough I won't be posting my yoga moves. Maybe a yoga mat. You just have to wait and see what photos come up!

I tried to edit the photo of my cross stitch though I can't make my mind up which one is better. It might only take me two months to complete a little book mark. It was meant for the secret santa though I made a classic error of not having enough embroidery thread. I did manage to make some mittens with a bit of help.  Though the only thing it needs now is some felt and work out how to attach it to the back of my cross stitch. Then give it my friend hopefully before two months. 

So it's been a week full of praise, I got in to do the great north run. I have actually finish something less than a year. Now if you don't mind that deserves some cake and a cup of tea!

Monthly musings: January

It's been a quiet month that hasn't ended up being hectic. Which is fantastic. If you read the comments or have a good eye for detail you probably wondering "When is Rebecca, posting a blog about New year Weekend." Well when I say it's been quiet its understatement, I have been busy but nothing out of the ordinary. Plus it would be boring to read the ins and out of a weekend that has got no pictures. Right? Thought so.

It was a chance to meet up with everyone that I went dancing with and that I meet up now and then for lunch out with my two close friends Crazy Rachel and Cherry. We had the New Year weekend away in the Lake District by the Windermere. As in December Fenicks window at Northumberland street (Newcastle town) had a lovely display  of Beatrix Potter. During the festive period I just admire the music and the display everyday when I had a chance and not many people were around. It was lovely catching up with people that I haven't seen for ages. In fact one them is studying in Northumbria university so had a lovely lunch out every now and then. 

January is a weird month, everyone gets so excited and trying to be a better person. I'm included and trying to train the great north run unfortunately my stomach muscles are lacking a bit. I need to improve my core strength. You just think in order to run a half marathon you just need to practice running. Turns out that you need to do stretching and do a full workout, sit ups, push ups and plank. Though having a step back is normal so hopefully I get back in the cold to start running again.

I kicked off the year by seeing The Kite Runner in the West End. I fell in love with the film and the book a few years ago, and it seems like such a timely story given that a lot of the ugly racism we're seeing stems from not understanding one another. In the cinema, I watched and loved La La Land and Hidden Figures. My first book of the year was Stephen King's On Writing.

It's going to be a short monthly wrap up.