Lamu

 

Early Morning walks, a swim in the sea, followed by fruit and eggs for breakfast was a great start to each morning. Shela really is a special place where you meander through the narrow sandy alley ways, passing little kiosks selling the limited range of produce towards the sea front that's decorated with dhows and boats. There is a real sense of calm and unity and no fear for your safety. I spent my mornings and much of the day between the village and the beach, chatting to the locals and enjoying the serenity of the place. I couldn't get enough of the tea and though our diet was limited to fruit, salad, fish, eggs and chapatis or rice, it was always fresh and well prepared. Even if you did have to wait over an hour for it. It felt good to have a bit of a cleanse but won't lie I missed a good bit of bread, cereal and looked forward to something other than fish. You know you've been spoilt when it gets to that stage.

Whilst I have missed running, I have embraced the yoga and think that it may have been good for me to work my body in a different way. Swimming in the sea was also a good way of giving my upper body more attention and exercising in a different way. I just hope that I'll be feeling fresh and motivated when I get back, especially now I have relaxed into holiday mode. 

 

Time to chill

Ha, just wrote a post and lost it 😩 Sat drinking gorgeous Kenya tea in paradise that is Lamu. I have taken two weeks off to spend time relaxing, bonding with my sister and getting back to my roots in Kenya. I grew up in Kenya and having spent 19 years here it will always be home to me. I am lucky enough to come back and spend some time with my sister who's finances family live here, and even more lucky to come to the Island of lamu and spend a week relaxing by the beach in a home like hotel where the staff cannot do enough for you and we can do yoga every evening. Camt forget to mention eating fresh fish and of course the local tea and coffee that's just awesome. Saying that I have to admit to struggling with the idea of doing nothing for two weeks. After pushing myself in January to get in the miles and ascent and feeling like I couldn't quite do enough it's hard to switch off and be ok with the odd stroll and swim in the sea. I feel guilty and find it hard not to think of what others may be doing. Yes, I hate to admit I compare myself to others and usually those that do 60-80 miles a week, stupid amounts of ascent, not to mention the gym, swimming and extra stuff on top. So the more obsessive types. But I need to remind myself why I run, what else in life is important to me and that I do a lot more than many others. I really just want to be ok with doing less or not much for a period of time, all the while knowing that I will always want to get back to it and then embrace it more. My body I'm sure will thank me for it. Does this sound like I am trying to convince myself that's two weeks of not doing much, eating, sleeping, reading and relaxing taking time out is ok?! I think it probably does because that's probably what I'm doing lol.  Saying that I did enjoy a very leisurely jog on the beach, a paddle in the sea and am looking forward to a walk and yoga later... Maybe tomorrow I'll do much less, maybe I'll do more. I will continue to try and not let it be the be all and end all and in the mean time think about how hard I'll be working when I get back. I think I'll lie down now 😜

Slowly building...miles, ascent and confidence in the mountains

What a beautiful last couple of runs out I have had in the lakes. It really is one of the most beautiful places in the world when its clear, crisp and the sun is shining.
Last week I was pleased that

I managed to get 50 miles and 5000m of ascent in. It took real mental effort to get out, especially one day when it was foggy, drizzly and generally a bit yuck. But once I was out I managed to get some focus and just get the job done so to speak.
I have real confidence issues being out in the mountains on my own, especially in miserable weather. Having Joe be with me part of the way one day and suggesting a further route and then being in the same area on another day really helped. Not to mention little Kibo being an amazing companion, looking up at me with those eyes and floppy ears, he really is such good company, even if he does try to trip me up from time to time.
Anyway, today I ventured out on my own, if familiar territory, planned my own route and just went for it. I managed to run more or less all of 20.4km (18+miles) and 1800m of ascent. I felt pretty good, even if I did have a bit of indigestion, felt really thirsty and didn't fancy eating much! It was just a beautiful day and I had plucked up the courage to just get out on a route I planned and despite not being in the mood I had a good day out. I won't lie, I am not looking forward to having to be out for 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 hours out on my own. Just really hope I can arrange some company because it really is great sharing special surroundings with others, and it makes the time go that little bit quicker with someone to natter along with 😜

4 days till I get to Kenya for a bit of a rest and just enjoy the odd run, yoga and swimming with my little sister 😆



Kibo enjoying the view from Causey Pike

Enough? Enough? Am I doing enough?

 Kibo loving the snowy, icy, slippy terrain

I'm heading out to Kenya for in a couple of weeks, for a couple of weeks. And yes I am excited for some sunshine and relaxation but can't help feeling the pressure to get the miles in before I go.
I had a target set of doing 30 miles a week from the beginning of Jan and around 2000m of ascent. The first week was a bit of a wipe out as I was down with a cold and with the weather being what it was didn't think it too wise to push it. I've managed to get in the miles over the last couple of weeks but won't lie, the ascent is lagging! And I can't help feeling a build up of panic from time to time about what is before me and if I can't get in the training whatever the weather, how am I going to achieve 100 miles!!! Have I done a stupid thing in thinking that I could, possibly, run, walk, hobble, crawl 100 miles? I hate the feeling that whatever I do is not going to be enough and want to make sure I give myself the best chance of being even close to finishing! yes, panic is setting in, can you tell??!

On a positive note I have had a couple of lovely runs out. Getting out with a friend is always great and enjoyed a steady, wet run around Derwent water. It was nice and sheltered and though a bit cold and wet at the end was able to enjoy a warm coffee at the end and relish having spent time out with a new friend, getting to know each other better, doing what we both love.
I then pushed myself to get out by myself on the weekend, which wasn't difficult as the sun was shining and there is something so special about being in the mountains when there is snow on the ground and clear skys. It was a hard 20 miles being all running terrain, even though the ice slowed me down some what, but was pleased to get some miles in and Kibo just loved playing in the snow.
I am also supplementing my running with some cycling and cross training in the gym, so trying to keep positive and reassured that it all adds up and helps.
I will plan to do what I can for the rest of the month, it's still early days I have to keep telling myself, but will look forward to some relaxing Yoga and recovery and then planning some long days out on return, preferably with company 😆

Winter training at its best

 

After a lovely and hectic Christmas break it was good to shake off the cobwebs and festivities with a run up Gasgall Gill. I'm not the best in the cold and I struggle with winter training but it was spectacular. Setting out in the afternoon with my family (husband and dog Kibo) we made it up the top of white side for sun set. It was breath taking with the view and yes the cold, and reminds me of why I love to get out in the mountains so much. No one else was about and we really felt the whole place was ours. I'm pleased with my new innovate running shoes (terraclaw) and my montane running tights kept my legs warm. I did struggle as always with my hands and the bitter wind on my face was giving me a headache. All in all a fantastic first run out in the Lakeland mountains for 2017 Looking forward, mostly, to the rest 😀

 

 

Winter blues

It's 7.45am and it's dark! The sun struggles to rise and then after what feels like a few hours, it's dark again! If it weren't for my dog (Kibo), and my alarm, I would probably still be asleep at 9 or even 10am. Winter is hard and my mood does drop for sure. So what do you do? Get out, grin and bare it? Or hibernate?  I have decided to stick to shorter runs and gym sessions and when the mood takes me, maybe, I can get in some longer days out, preferably with others.
I have to say that I really admire people who can get out for hours and hours whatever the weather. Although I am less phased now, I am generally a fair weather girl. Lacking confidence in the mountains doesn't help and I just hope I can learn more and grow in confidence so that I am less phased by the possibility of getting lost.
I will end on a positive note though. Winter can be glorious. When the air is crisp cold, the sky is clear blue and the sun gives of a slight warmth. Going up into the fells is always worth it for the views on that day and so long as you wrap up nothing beats a winter day like that.

Solo run in the lakes

I should have written this a week ago at the height of my euphoria. I ventured out with Kibo into the lake district fells all on my own. Using my limited navigation skills I made my way round the Coledale Horseshoe (up Grizedale Pike) in pretty poor conditions. OK, I had a GPS but I did refer to the map and most amazingly I didn't panic. I felt myself ease into the run and just enjoy the challenge. Having mobile signal and some familiarity of the area helped but all the same it felt like a real achievement for me. I think I can do it again and really hope I get more and more confident and get to enjoy exploring new routes.