Geth and I were racing at the Run Sunderland event this morning, so I’ve had a fairly lazy afternoon and evening on the sofa to unwind afterwards. Back to the admin tomorrow!
The Midnight – Days Of Thunder Simply Red – Something Got Me Started Murray Head – One Night In Bangkok Queen – Flash Billy Ocean – Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) The Midnight – Crystalline Buddy Holly – Raining In My Heart
Today was the fourth time I’ve done the Run Sunderland event – I did my very first 10k there in 2016, then the half marathon in 2017, then back to the 10k for a good PB last year. Given that my legs are still recovering from London a fortnight ago, I wasn’t expecting much from today – but it turned out to be a good race under the circumstances.
Pre-race selfie! Neither of us looked this energetic immediately after finishing.
Geth was doing the half marathon this year, so I was on my own setting off. The field felt a bit more crowded than usual, so it was pretty frustrating trying to weave around people during the first half of the race, and I probably went out a bit too fast as a result of trying to get past the crowds. As such, I felt myself flagging a bit during kilometres six and seven, and I didn’t really get my energy back until the last eight hundred metres of the race.
Because of this (and the fact that four months of marathon training has really brought my speed down), I was very surprised when I turned onto the finishing straight, saw the race clock, and realised I was on for a PB! I finished in 1:09:13, which was forty-three seconds faster than my previous best, also set at Sunderland last year.
After a San Pellegrino and a nice bit of victory cheesecake in the coffee shop nearby, I wandered back to the finish area to watch for Geth coming in at the end of the half marathon. He got his sub-two-hour result, which was the aim for today’s race, and after a recovery sit-down we headed back to Newcastle on the Metro for a quiet afternoon of pub, synthwave, and pizza.
I’ll be back again next May for year five and hopefully another PB, given that I won’t be coming off the back of a marathon next time!
No review post today as I’m having a quiet day before a race tomorrow!
Geth and I volunteered at parkrun this morning, then went for our traditional post-parkrun-volunteering-on-a-race-weekend breakfast in town. Once back home, I spent the afternoon getting some writing done.
Just a quiet evening now before the race tomorrow! I’m doing the 10K (which probably won’t break any records given that I’m still recovering from London) and Geth is doing the half marathon. I will let you know tomorrow how it all goes!
OOTD: at this rate I’m going to be wearing winter jumpers into June! Jumper Faber (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2018), jeans H&M (thrifted from Steff 2016), trainers Reebok (2013).
Today’s earworm playlist:
FM-84 and Ollie Wride – Running In The Night The Midnight – Gloria Gunship – When You Grow Up Your Heart Dies Lil’ Nas X – Old Town Road The Midnight – Crystalline
A good day today! At Slimming World, I found I’d lost all the post-marathon water weight that I’d put on last week, which is great – just need to concentrate on losing the last few pounds needed to get back into target range now.
Have just been getting on with admin this afternoon as Geth and I have a boardgaming guest again this evening!
Hoping for a slightly more productive day tomorrow.
OOTD: still in my winter Thursday jumper due to the weather being freezing for May! Glasses Emporio Armani (2017), jumper Carlo Colucci (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2017).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Traditional – Bonnie Ship The Diamond Gunship – Tech Noir Ta Mara & The Seen – Affection Sandie Shaw – Puppet On A String Duran Duran – Notorious Sam Cooke – Wonderful World REM – Losing My Religion Cast of The Greatest Showman – The Greatest Show Duran Duran – I Believe/All I Need To Know Duran Duran – The Reflex The Midnight – Days Of Thunder
This one is an interestingly-repurposed box that at some point in the last decade (as usual for Dumfries and Galloway, the Google Street View image linked above is from 2009) has been turned into a book repository!
A bit of an interrupted day today, because I had to spend the afternoon hanging about at the eye clinic again – but I’m pleased to report that my eye is almost back to normal inflammation-wise, and the doctor says that I can start reducing the eye drop treatment (which I am THRILLED about because it’s been a real pain remembering to take them every hour). In addition to reducing the steroid drops I’ve been taking, I can also stop taking the ones that dilate my eye, so hopefully my blurry vision will clear up soon as well. I also don’t have to go back to the clinic again until they call me in for a follow-up check, which probably won’t be for a couple of months. Very happy with today’s progress!
In the evening, I went to ukulele class – beginner class is already throwing up some good challenges compared to absolute beginner class! – and am now curled up at home, catching up with a bit of writing and appreciating being out of the rain. Hope the weather clears up by tomorrow morning.
OOTD: too rainy for an outdoor photo today, but pleased to be back in my eye makeup! Glasses Emporio Armani (2017), jumper Ellend (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2019), jeans Levi (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
The Midnight – Gloria Fleetwood Mac – Dreams REM – Losing My Religion Duran Duran – Save A Prayer Traditional – Bonnie Ship The Diamond Sam Cooke – Wonderful World Fountains Of Wayne – Stacy’s Mom Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf Duran Duran – I Believe/All I Need To Know
I had this pizza at the Thistle City Barbican the night that Geth and I arrived in London for marathon weekend. Pizza is a must-have for a hotel restaurant as far as I’m concerned!
Barrel & Stone Garden Party.
There was a little bit too much rocket on this one for me (I prefer toppings that are cooked with the pizza – when it’s covered in rocket after the fact, it’s just a salad getting in the way of my unhealthy eating moment!), but the sauce was absolutely delicious. Really glad that they’ve got this option at my favourite London hotel!
A fairly busy day today. I had work to do for a couple of clients for most of the day, and otherwise have just been sorting out the house and getting all my writing and admin tasks done for the day as Geth and I have a guest round for boardgaming tonight.
Tomorrow is another Wednesday of being out and about, as my eye saga continues! It feels back to normal now, though my vision is still blurry from the drops. I’m hoping the doctor will be able to see some improvement.
OOTD: blue Tuesday. Blouse Yessica (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2018), skirt Calvin Klein Jeans (2004), trainers Reebok (2017).
Today’s earworm playlist:
FM-84 and Ollie Wride – Running In The Night Duran Duran – The Edge Of America The Midnight – Gloria Duran Duran – I Believe/All I Need To Know Sam Cooke – Wonderful World
This was another drink that I found in the non-alcoholic section at Sainsbury’s.
John Crabbie & Co Ginger Beer.
Not to be confused with the ginger beer made by Crabbie’s (which is alcoholic, as Crabbie’s only make alcoholic drinks) – John Crabbie & Co is an entirely different company!
This ginger beer isn’t as super sweet as I usually like, but the spice level is just right (it makes me sneeze rather than cough!). I’d definitely have this one again.
