Getting her shine back
If was to describe my daughter, I would say she shines. All of my kids are likeable, of course (yes, I’m biased), but her likability shines out of her. There is something about her that draws people to her. She smiles. She’s friendly with a good sense of humour. She’s caring and kind. She’s well behaved and hardworking, without being a goody-goody or a show off. She looks a bit different with her very long hair...
Marathon training: The first few weeks
I’ve decided not to bore you by updating you on my marathon training every single week. Especially as the first couple of weeks on my training plan involved less running than I usually do. I decided to follow Newport marathon’s own training plan, which only lasts 15 weeks and starts off slowly, but then builds up very quickly. The first week recommended just three runs, with the longest being a 60 minute ‘light...
The Grade 1 music exams
Our family is a lot of things. Between us, we’re a pretty talented bunch. We’ve got family members who are highly academic. Family members who are good at sport. Family members who are a good at art. Family members who are strategic thinkers. Family members who are really good with people. Family members with lots of common sense. Family members who are highly resilient. Family members with a good general knowledge. And...
Marathon fuelling experiments: Go Bites
As I continue my experiments to find the right fuel for my first marathon, my blogging friend Juliet McGrattan recommended Kate Percy’s Go Bites. Juliet is not only an experienced marathon runner, she is also a doctor who uses her medical knowledge to inspire people to become active. So if she recommends something, I listen! She says she has given up gels in favour of Go Bites. Go Bites are made of completely natural...
Grade 4 ballet – merit!
It’s nearly three months since my daughter took her Grade 4 ballet exam. Yes, that’s how long it takes to get the results. Grade 4 is tough. It’s a huge step up from Grade 3, with a much longer syllabus. In the exam, the kids have to do far more dancing on their own than in previous exams. Apparently it takes 75 hours’ class time, plus 20 hours practise at home, to really cover the Grade 4 syllabus....
Marathon training: Following a training plan
I ummed and aahed over whether to follow a training plan for my first marathon. My ‘training plan’ (in my head) for my half marathons works very well, so shouldn’t I just do that? But with a much longer run on a Sunday? Generally when training for a half marathon I do two four mile runs in the week, parkrun on Saturday and a longer run on Sunday. As I get closer to the big day, I will increase the four mile runs to...
