I had a text message this week from my best friend. She isnt a best friend that i see all the time but i have known her since we started school a billion years ago. She now lives in Port. Lincoln in Southern Australia and moved there a while ago with her family.
Her test message read:
Hi sarah, am thinking of running the London 10K while we are back, would you be interested too? Takes a lot of the Olympic route! See you soon. Mel
Thats one way to announce that you are going to be in the northern hemisphere for a while! 😉
Much as i would LOVE to run a race with my school days friend…if its the only chance im going to get to see her while she is back from Aus. Then my plans would be less in the training shoes and lycra shorts and more towards pub lunch and large bottle of wine. Since she moved to Australia i have seen her one other time when she returned when my now 4 year old was a very small baby.
But pushing that aspect aside it made me think a little about races…you know….running races…
hundreds or thousands of people all lined up to pound a certain distance together at varying speeds and times.
Im just not sure its me.
I do run…
well…probably more like a cross between a run and a jog..
a rog…
or a jun…
😉
Im not going to set any records, except against myself, which i get great delight in when the cheery little voice on the nike app happily tells me ‘thats the fastest yet!” or “great run, go hit the showers!’ ( reassuring to know that they care about personal hygiene too!)
Anyway…I go…I shuffle around some miles or clicks..whichever measurement floats your boat and you know whats the best part for me?
The Solitude….
Being by myself.
I like the headspace. I listen to some music…and try to skip the kids stories that are on my iphone playlist…has to be said that charlie and lola don’t offer much motivation to keep on going!
I also go out at a very early time of the morning when it is quiet and there is hardly anyone around. I love that feeling of space.
Clear roads
Empty pavements.
The faint sound of birdsong.
and a great openness for my mind to trail off to…
might be ‘whats for dinner…’
might be ‘what should we do next’
might be ‘ how incredible is this world we live in..’
But its uninterrupted by distraction except that offered by the silence of a waking city.
Thats what im worried about loosing if i was to run with hundred of others…my sense in running is less a need for exercise (although thats obviously good) but its about finding a tiny moment of peace in my day which can very rarely be described as peaceful.
I think i would wonder whether I would in fact find any motivation in a race, swarming along like a mass of bees…or if i would just stop and pretend to be nursing an injury so that i could hide out at the back amongst the stragglers and see if i can search out some solitude running!
Maybe its the pure lack of competitive spirit i have. I have been passed by other runners while i am out and my pace has remained unchanged and my focus stays on what i am doing. Truly in a world of my own!
I have to say though that there are a few runners that i pass regularly and we often acknowledge each other with a little nod of a wave and its nice, a nano-second of community.
Hmmm…i cant decide.
I have made plans in the past to run in little 5k/10k type races but ive always drifted off the idea. Ive thought about running in a race with headphones and seeing if that would help me to zone out everyone else but i just can’t help but feel that, that would be a little rude to my other fellow runners. Like trying to ‘exclude’ them from this group experience seems like missing the point a bit.
Maybe this invite from my friend is the shove i needed to go for it and at least try.
We tell our kids about trying something at least once before you decide right?
Maybe time to do a bit of practicing what we preach..?
This week i had to include a clip from one of my ALL time favourite movies…
Right this week its my birthday and to offset all this talk of exercise I am having an extra special giveaway courtesy of HOTEL CHOCOLAT
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You can win a beautiful birthday gift box for you or for your loved one. Just follow rafflecopter and then be sure to check back for winners! Also announced on my Facebook page as well. Dont forget you can still enter to win a LUSH box of goodies and support a fantastic charity by clicking on this link
My best birthday present has to be a butterfly necklace from my mum – it means a lot to me – I would be heartbroken if I lost it! xoxo
Ps I think you should do it – I would love to do something like that but can’t because of my medical condition. It would be so rewarding for you and you would raise alot for charity! xoxo
Maybe give it a try, you never know, you might like it. I have only just started running (if you can call it that). I did my 1st 2km race yesterday (I know a pathetic distance, but we all have to start somewhere) and I got round without stopping so for me that was great. I now am looking to find a 5km race for later in the year to build up to. I think a race to aim for will keep me motivated.
Go for it – the running I mean, although that could equally apply to the box of chocs! Running organised races is a completely different experience to running for a little inner calm but the doesn’t necessarily make it worse, and you’ll get plenty of inner calm moments training for it. I once ran a marathon just to be able to say that I’d done it and I found I loved the camaraderie of the training races and the day itself as a change from pounding pavements.
I do races to set myself a target, but running is to get a bit healthier and get that me time that you speak of. I also run in the morning, not sure I would enjoy it so much later in the day.
Could you not do the 10k THEN go for food/wine?! (Don’t try it the other way around) 😉
I used to run, and for the exact same reasons that you do it – the head space, the freedom and taking in the fresh air. I did however do a 10k race and loved the atmosphere and exhilaration of all doing something together – do it!
When I was given my kitten Gizmo 😀
I know what you mean about these races, pretty much why I choose to run off road now and only do trail races. A very different atmosphere to the big events. But they can be fun and it’s nice to have done some official distance every so often 🙂
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MY BROTHER TURNED UP AS A SURPRISE, HADN’T SEEN HIM IN A YEAR AS HE WAS IN AFRICA WORKING IN A SCHOOL 🙂
I guess as well would your friend run at your speed – or would they be faster/slower so you wouldn’t actually see her anyway. I guess it may be inspirational and give you the motivation to run, otherwise could you go and support her and take her for wine and a pub lunch afterwards?
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Good luck if you do the run. My best birthday present was a kindle.
Jayne T recently posted…25 lbs to go before I turn 40!
A spa day… as a busy mum the time to myself just to chill was amazing!
S car when I was 18
A pirate riding a unicorn cake. 🙂
My best present was my 30th birthday party – all of my family together for once (including my brother who was over from Australia – he’s always missing on a lot of photos, but not that one).
my best birthday present was a t shirt emblazoned with my boyfriends pet name for me 🙂
best birthday present was my first tropical fishtank which my Dad drove me all the way the birmingham to get
I got my first watch for my birthday when I was 5.
My best present was a leather jacket. My husband had secretly got hold of my well loved but falling to pieces jacket and had an identical copy made
My chi pup! I adore her!
A trip to Florence!
The personalised number plate bought for me by my husband
A plastic watch my wife bought for me whilst we were travelling in Chile.
My best present was my kindle
My fav birthday present would be the laptop
My birthday is on thursday and I will be 21! I already know of my birthday present in advance and it’s tickets to the North East Live concert and stay in a hotel for me and my best friend 😀 best present ever!
my best birthday present ever was a trip to Barbados to watch England V West Indies. First day was actually on my birthday
My wonderful border collie (not a) pup (any more).
An Olympus Pen camera
My First computer a laptop & broadband connection. I decided I would treat myself that year & it has been the best thing ever
Best present… not everyone would like but given some tickets to see Bruce Springsteen.. and loved it… Happy Birthday to you…..
I was taken to Barcelona for my 40th. I absolutely loved it and cried when I had to come home.
It is good to try everything once. How can you be sure you won’t like it if you have never tried?
tickets to see Elton John in Las Vegas the red piano omg best ever present for my birthday.
My son Lewis who was born the month before, love being his mummy x
It was my birthday when we were on honeymoon in the Maldives, it was the best birthday ever!
Best pressie for me was my exercise bike, love it.
An ex boyfriend gave me a hamster called Chester for my 21st birthday – he was lovely!
Best present was a toilet seat with my name on it lol
I know it might sound pretty bad to say it was a big cheque, but it really meant alot to me because it enabled me to do lots of different things that I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do and having great adventures is what is most important to me!
My best birthday present ever was when I got to meet all the red nose day celebrities in Kenya after their trek across the desert for comic relief in 2011. I got a birthday kiss off Olly Murs & Dermot O’Leary as you will see from my profile picture.
My best present was my Tiffany necklace.
My best birthday present ever was my engagement ring from my hubby and previously to that a brand new Sindy Doll sometime in the 70’s!
I’m a little bit obsessed with the theatre production of Les MIserables – the tickets are so expensive though. My lovely fiance treated me to premium seats for my birthday two years ago. He managed to keep it a secret until we got outside the theatre where he surprised me. There was tears! Jen xx
I feel blessed with any present I recieve but especially like the handmade ones from the children.
My very first mobile phone, large brick version!
My diamond ring!
My husband treated me to a trip to London and tickets to see Billy Elliott. It was the best present Ive ever had.
A party with my friends and family in a castle with all the extravagance it has to offer
The £500 I got for my 18th from my parents 20 years ago. Suffice to say I wasn’t as responsible with it as they my have hoped but I had a very good time spending it 🙂
My son
A racing bike when I was a kid.
My best birthday present was a bike, just a few years ago. It encouraged me to get out and about and get fitter and now I’ve got the cycling bug.
A trip to Paris!
It was a diamond and sapphire ring hidden in a kinder egg from my boyfriend at the time.
Best birthday gist was a tiffany bracelet from my husband
A years subscription to Hotel Chocolat Tasting Club – chocolates posted through your door every month – fab!
MY SEWING MACHINE
A watch, first one Ive owned and I was 25
My best birthday present ever was the surprise 30th birthday party… I’d never been given a surprise party before and it turned out to be an epic event!
My best birthday present was my Lulu Guinness handbag!
a kindle that my parent bought me last year
A KITTEN, I got to choose him on my birthday, and he is soooo cute
a personalised car registration plate, which isn’t my initials but a very relevant word to me.
A big white fluffy Gonk!
Musical Socks
My aunt set up a high interest bank account for me when I was a baby and handed it over to me for my 18th birthday…not very sentimental but I’ve never had that kind of money before, it’s still sitting in a savings account now and is going to help me get me get my first mortgage so much faster than I could have done without it!
a personalised car registration plate from my hubby and a surprise trip to Old Trafford.
For my 50th birthday I went on a massive tour of China with my husband. We saw all the main landmarks and even had a 5 day cruise along the Yangtsee River. It was an amazing trip, one that I will never forget.
Finding out i was pregnant with my 1st child on my birthday,It was the best and still is the bestest present i have ever received 🙂
My sister bought me a HUGE retro sweets hamper a couple of years ago – I’m a sugar addict so it was heaven!
The Hummingbird bakery book from my sister..it is amazing and I use it so much.
My best birthday present could either be a car bought for my 18th ayv550h ford escort, cost I think about £400 back in 1978!
Tickets to see Rod Stewart last year.
would have to be my car! a vauxhall corsa that I got for my 40th from my hubby. Even though the loan took a few years to pay off, it was so unexpected and so welcome 🙂
My husband surprising me with a holiday.
My best present ever was a new camera my family all put towards in 2010, still using it now, had it’s money worth from me 🙂
My best birthday present ever was an eternity ring off my husband.
My husband bought me airline tickets for Australia so that I could visit my Sister and her family.
My husband bought me a present. It was for a researcher to research my father’s side of my family. My parents split up when I was a baby and my father died before I was able to trace him so having the research done was very rewarding.
My best birthday present had to be a beautiful card made by my autistic son, it may have taken him 10 years to do it but it meant the world to me!
A Pair of Manolo Blahnik Shoes 🙂
a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring from my hubby
A guinea pig called Teeno that I got for my 13th Birthday
Best birthday present ever was a holiday to Gran Canaria for my 21st
An engagement ring from my now husband! x
A Charm bracelet for my 21st which has over the years has had different charms brought to comemerate different events through my life.
The engagement ring my husband gave me almost 40 years ago.
Driving lessons!
My best birthday present was a holiday to Hong Kong from my husband.
My best present is simply money which I can use to put towards the present of my choice or just save it up for something very special.
My wife & Soul mate + chocs
My lucky charm for my necklace 🙂
The charm brings me luck each time i wear it
has to be my puppy!
Best birthday present would be a day free to do what I want.
My 18th birthday silver Accurist watch from my aunts. It was expensive and I wear it every day.
A rosebush given to me by my two daughters.
When I was 7 my parents bought me a lovely wooden desk, which was enough of a suprise – but when I opened the lid it was full of beautifully wrapped presents! I’ve never been so suprised.
my best birthday present ever was when my family came to visit me in australia for my 21st birthday :’)
My 50th birthday present from my daughter was a beautiful hamper she made up herself full of all lovely things that i like such as chocolates, face cream, my favourite books etc. It was so beautiful. All wrapped nice with a big bow on. I was in tears when i saw it.Nothing will ever match that present.
My then boyfriend flew me to see him in America for my birthday. We hadn’t seen each other for over a year so it was the best present ever xx
My husband bought me 2 dwarf rabbits which I fell in love with!
A wooden hand harved chest, love it
My best birthday present ever was a holiday to Dubai.
when my husband treated me to a spa break
A knitting set from my boyfriend we’d only been going out for a few weeks so it showed me he’d been listening and didn’t care if I liked knitting.
Tickets to Hairspray the Musical! 🙂
My best ever pressie is actually a birthday card. For my 40th, my wonderful hublet sent a blank card to Chelsea (as in the football team) and asked the players and manager to sign and send it back. They did and it is still one of my most treasured possessions 🙂
I got a china dog ornament from my mum – then she said I could choose a real puppy 🙂
My dad paid for me and a friend to go to Alton Towers one year.
a hanging heart my daughter made for me
Mine was a lads weekend in Amsterdam staying at a really swish hotel, there was a big chocolate birthday cake with gold leaf on it waiting for me when I got there! mmmm, cake
@mister_steven on twitter
I don’t have a particular favourite. I have loved all my birthday presents.
When I was about 12 I got my very own tv/video combi, I thought it was made old gold! I thin I cleaned it everyday for 2 months!
A new laptop…my old one was on its last legs so it was a lovely present to receive
I love all mine!
My lovely cat, Molly
My best present was a trip to the zoo with my husband and our baby girl. Simple things, but it was perfect!
My Sega Dreamcast the Christmas it came out! I’ll never forget it!
My husband has paid for a trip to Disneyland Paris for us all for my 30th birthday this year… definitely the best present EVER!
Holiday to Spain.
A custom made piece of jewellery, amazing!
My beloved portable radiator affectionately known as ‘the master’ to keep me warm in my freezing student room warm!
Best present was a trip to New York
Tickets for Coldplay!
Ohhhh, a pair of Doc Martens!
My best present is the Flowers & Chocs my kids always get me.
A trip to Paris for my 30th birthday
iPad
When I first met my partner we had no money but he wanted to do something special for me, so he went round a whole bunch of charity shops and bought me 100 teddies, one for each day we’d dated. Still makes me smile when I think of it!
My very first camera. point and click. priceless!
On my 21st Birthday my partner of 8 years proposed infront of 25 of our family and friends! The best present wasn’t just the ring, but that he had the guts to do it in the first place! I love my man! xx
The day off work !! – Im a christmas baby and working in retail its almost impossible to get my birthday off so its a realt trat when I do.
my 11 year old son and 4 year old daughter made me a birthday card last year, they hid in my sons room and used my daughters stensils and colours to draw it themselves 🙂
Away with the family. As long as we are together.
the eternity ring my husband brought me
A gorgeous locket.
A blindfold trip to a grand restaurant
a surprise holiday
My two cats who are now nearly 4 years old : )
My house rabbits have to be the best gift ever as I adore them! 🙂
a handmade bracelet from my little girl
Driving lessons 🙂
A trip to Krakow 🙂
Running with the dog is the best – noone else around and no competition!
An hours flying lesson – where they let me land it at the end as well!
A laptop
My pandora bracelet – plus it’s a present that is added to each birthday so has lots of memories already
A computer
a spa day
A trip in a hot air balloon for my 30th- was brilliant, (And bless him, he sold his bike to pay for it!)
My beautiful little pup.
tea at the ritz fab!
a spa day.
My boyfriend paid for me to have a flight in a microlite for my 30th. It was so much fun and totally my kind of present (especially as it came with a bottle of my favourite bubbly).
Hotel Chocolate, oh yes please ;).
My partner surprised me with a short break to Bruges & we had an amazing time, the chocolate there was to die for! 🙂
My best present was the first birthday card I received from my partner, after we first started dating.
He handmade this awesome card with all brilliant artwork and embroidery and little origami animals that fell out when I opened it up!
It was truly awesome, he did get me “things” as well but I really do treasure that card!
My Megadrive when I was 16 and then again when I was 30!
My daughter, she was born exactly a week after my birthday and I knew she was coming then as I had an elective c-section
My rescue doggy. My husband wouldn’t let me have a dog for years then 2 years ago he got my Charlie for my Birthday. He is wonderful xxx
My Husband surprised me with a gold watch for my 30th birthday
A chocolate hamper
It’s only small but for my 18th I received 18 Lucky Dip Lotto Tickets. I had no winners but I thought that was a really nice present 🙂
A pair of tickets to the final day of the Edgbaston Ashes Test in 2005
A spa day and treatments.
A car from my mum
Tickets to Hard Rock Calling 3 years ago
A Pandora bracelet from my b/friend which he adds to each birthday/xmas etc 🙂
My best present was last year when my partner sent my on a treasure hunt round our flat for me to find all my gifts, the finale was a print out of a holiday he had booked for us to Florida. I was a veyr happy bunny indeed!
for my 30th my hubby took me and the kids to a 5* hotel in London and got us tickets for Lion King, it was amazing.
My best birthday pressie was a guitar from my parents. I’ve not stopped playing it since.
iPad
When I was four, I got my first Sindy doll and I loved her!
Screwball Scramble! I wanted it forever x.
My best birthday present was a mobile phone when I was 12. I thought it (and I lol) was so cool. 🙂
vintage crystal chandelier
A surprise trip to London!
Family holiday to disneyland Paris.
An engagement ring for my 18th
My Pandora bracelet and charms.
weekend to Paris 🙂
I’m hoping it’s going to come this year. My first baby grandson is due on my birthday in August 🙂 x.
My engagement ring.
The first birthday card my daughter ever made for me, and then when she was older the first time she bought me a present with her own money when she bought me a silver heart paperweight.
week away
I’ve not had anything memorable – not really. I have had kind gestures and nice gifts but nothing that has blown my socks off or good enough to write about unfortunately. My birthday is just one of those days that passes by, and if I am lucky, the children will wrap up something already in the house!
I met my husband on my 18th Birthday, so that was my favourite prezzie.
My best present was my gorgeous puppy 🙂 My husband is ace!
Best Birthday present my family all enjoying seeing Mamma Mia and a wonderful meal.
My KitchenAid. I love it!
My best present ever was my engagement ring on my 21st 🙂
My Christian Louboutin’s
A positive pregnancy test
A hot air balloon ride that I got from my parents for my 30th birthday last year.