Countdown

This is the final week before May. Before I start my OutRun challenge.

In case you didn't know, throughout the month of May I have pledged to run 26.2 miles to raise at least £100 for Macmillan Cancer support.

I have never been a runner. I've never been in top physical condition. But I am pushing myself to complete this. I am determined to do it, to get myself fit and to help such an amazing charity. Signing up for OutRun May was a way of giving myself a reason to run. Otherwise I would have never have got off my fat arse to do something. 

I've worked out that I need to run 2.2 miles, 3 times a week in order to meet my target. It's a daunting thought for a complete beginner, but I'm also excited to do it, to challenge myself.

I've been training and preparing myself over the last few weeks, fitting in as many runs as possible in between travelling to and from Fort William for work.

I will try and keep you up to date on a weekly basis with distances run, distances left and my ups and downs along the way.

Please help keep me motivated, and help Macmillan continue offering their fantastic help, care and support to cancer sufferers all over the UK.

Visit www.justgiving.com/charlotte-smith-outrun to find out more and to donate.

Thank you 💗

Running

Running. I used to laugh whenever anyone suggested running. But then I started thinking about it. I even bought a sports bra and some running shoes and downloaded a couch to 5k app with every intention of going running. That was about 6 months ago.
But one night I was scrolling through Facebook and I saw a post about Macmillan's OutRun May. And I decided that is what I needed to metaphorically kick myself up the arse to get moving. So I signed up. Me, who has never even run a bus! So it was decided, I had signed up to run 26.2 miles during May. May seem easy to a lot of you, but like I said, I am not a runner.
So on Sunday 2nd April, I donned my running gear, had a stretch, turned up my music and started my running app. And I went for a run. This app is wonderful, it breaks down the run into segments of running and walking and builds up to a 5k run over 8 weeks.
I have started. I will be sharing my progress on social media to keep me motivated. If you get fed up with seeing my running posts, I apologise now, but if I feel like other people are watching my progress I am much more likely to continue!
For more information or to sign up to OutRun May, visit www.out-run.org.UK
Or, to sponsor me (keeping me motivated and raising money for an excellent cause), visit www.justgiving.com/charlotte-smith-outrun

Thank you ❤

Early morning ponderings

Good morning all!

I have been awake for too long for a day where I don't have to go to work (I'm on holiday for the week). I was woken up just before 6am by pain in my back...Damn sciatica flaring up. I tried and tried to get comfortable; I switched positions umpteen times, took my super painkillers and still no joy. So I gave up and have moved into the living room to watch Gilmore Girls and drink hot chocolate. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to fill you in in my life.

So...January 2017, turning out to be pretty good. Me and Anthony have been looking for for a new flat for months and months. And we finally have one! Saw an advert on Facebook, arranged a viewing, went to see it and fell in love. We told the landlady that we loved it and wanted to move in and she gave us the keys there and then. So so happy. The flat is gorgeous, it has a patio and central heating and a beautiful Range Master cooker (ridiculously excited about that). So my week off work is all about moving house and cleaning the old flat ready to give back to the landlord.

Food wise, January has been about vegetables. Lots and lots of vegetables. I have perfected the art of cramming multiple vegetables into any given meal. My favourite is my hidden veg Bolognese. Last time I made it I managed to get tomatoes, spinach, celery, carrot, swede, parsnip and courgette into it. Winning. January has also been about soup. I've been buying cheap chicken thighs and boiling them to make stock. As with everything else, I then cut up lots and lots of veg, chopped up the chicken and threw it all back in to make broth. So tasty!
Now I have a nice big kitchen and a fancy new cooker I will be cooking much more, and maybe baking more. And making pies (as I now have space for pastry work)!

So here's to 2017, may it be beautiful and bountiful for you all!