My passport has not yet arrived…
Edited to add: I was literally about to post this (I wrote it yesterday) when an update occurred!
Basically I got to work, got a text from the passport people to say it would arrive “within a few days” and panicked. People at work suggested I rang them, which I did. The passport person informed me it would arrive today and that I might need to sign for it (though it’s unlikely) so I quickly left the office to come back home to work from home. I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am to have such a lovely and caring place of work to allow me to do this. No arrival as of yet!
Rant turned into a rave: Before knowing the above, I’d decided to focus on the positives of the outcome of not going to Iceland if my passport didn’t arrive in time. I could do a half marathon that’s part of our club league on Sunday (Solent half marathon). I’ve done it before but a couple of years ago and it’s nice and scenic, quite small and I can just use it to “womble” round as my last long run before the marathon. I can also use the extra weekend to get more stuff sorted for the move. I can go to parkrun on Saturday. It won’t be all doom and gloom (though it will royally suck). BUT FINGER’S CROSSED!
Rave: Getting into the Boston marathon 2016!
The Boston marathon is a bucket list race for me. It’s part of the World Marathon Majors, of which I’ve already done Berlin. I was going to run London next year (I deferred my GFA place from last year) but when I got a Boston qualifier in the Liverpool marathon I suddenly thought I could apply and just go. Yes it’s an expensive race in itself (just over £150!) and then the flights and accommodation…it makes it a costly affair. But I thought “sod it”. I’m the master of my own destiny, as they say, and at this point in my life I need to make selfish decisions while I can. I qualified by over 11 minutes which meant I was almost guaranteed a place as I could enter in the second wave of registrations (it’s a stepped registration process with the faster runners getting places first). I night not qualify again, they might change their qualifying times, I might get injured (could still happen)…best to do it now! Anyway I’m hugely excited. My mum is likely to come with me and support which will be fantastic. We’ll probably make it into a 8-9 day holiday to make the most of being there as well.
Rant: Having limited furniture! I gave away my sofa to the British Heart Foundation (so handy, a great way to get rid of furniture still in good condition) and sold my dining table and chairs.
Handy having a bean bag!
This has left me with nowhere to eat dinner or work. When I worked from home on Monday it became clear someone else had noticed a change and wasn’t too happy with just having a blanket to sit on (he doesn’t use his bed for some reason).
And speaking of Alfie, I found this old photo of him:
What a mess! He looks ridiculous. I can’t believe we ever let his fur get so long and scruffy haha.
Rave: A last coffee with my mum in my house before I move (well, I think so anyway!).
My parents came back from their holiday in Antigua at the weekend and my mum popped over after work one evening to show off her tan to catch up. For some reason she didn’t want to sit on my bean bag and opted for the floor instead 😉 You can’t beat a coffee and a catch up with your mum.
Rant: I cleaned my oven and fridge. Neither were particularly awful but they were a pain. I can only hope my flat has a clean oven and fridge but I can’t be certain. I just think it’s polite to leave things nice. I’m such a clean freak I’ll probably get someone in to give the flat a deep clean anyway though (it won’t cost much as the place is tiny, I just hate the thought of using a bathroom someone else has used). With my current house it was great because it was a new build so everything was brand new. To be fair though the flat is fairly new and it can’t be as bad as the house we lived in during university…*shudders*.
Rave: One good thing about moving is that I won’t miss the cats on my road. SO MANY CATS. That said, I think I have a soft spot for the grumpy-looking one.
Rant: I dropped my favourite glass salad bowl on the floor (it’s probably more accurate to call it a mixing bowl, but I don’t bake and eat salads a lot more…). Sad times. A glass shard hit the top of my foot and caused a nasty gash. There ensued the race against time of trying to staunch the blood while keeping Alfie out of the way of the glass and trying to stop him licking my foot (gross, I know). Nothing serious but it bled a lot. And FYI, blister plasters do not work on cuts.
Rave: Though when Ben first got this ENORMOUS tub of protein powder I was aghast. But now I’m using protein powder (after my morning gym sessions and after my runs at work) it’s very handy he’s leaving it behind.
It’s not the greatest protein powder in the world for sure, but it’ll do for now! I still like my soya one though. It’s just like chocolate milk.
Rant: Running has been tough. I have to say though that I will take “tough” over niggly or injured any day. But I just feel tired, lethargic and demotivated. I still love running and enjoy it but it just feels so much harder. I know I’m close to burning out so I just need to get to the marathon (not long now) and then take a break. No more marathons this year! It just feels depressing to compare similar runs from before Liverpool (when my training was going so well) to now…
(Follow me on Strava if you want!)
My usual 6 mile route was better than last week but still not as great as previously, and it feels it as well. But peaks and troughs happen and I’m just grateful to not be injured. So I’ll stop moaning.
What’s your next holiday?
Do you use protein powder? Do you have a favourite brand or type of protein (whey, hemp, soy, etc.)?
Would you ever spend a lot of money (relatively speaking) on a race?
Re the passport again 🙂 When you get the txt is means that it has been dispatched and normally arrives a day or two after you get the txt.
Unless you live in a ‘bad’ area, it will be delivered with all your normal post by the postman – no signature needed.
Your old passport and any documentation will then arrive a few days after that.
If you are not planning to fly out until Friday then you might get luck 🙂
Apparently it should arrive today before 6pm according to the tracking system, the man told me on the phone this morning. He seemed fairly confident, so finger’s crossed. I’ve never been so nervous about a holiday before :-S Thanks for your insight! 🙂
Yay passport! Iceland’s brilliant. We had such a lovely time when we went a couple of years ago.
Let’s see. Berlin’s definitely going to be the most expensive race so far. Rome Marathon was cheap to enter. Berlin I’ve entered with 2:09, as N got a place in the ballot, and I wasn’t going to *not* run it since I’d be going over anyhow. In hindsight, I should have run Chicago when he did that (well. At least tried to enter). But, 2:09 means using their hotel at their rates rather than something cheaper, so it does mount up.
Haven’t tried protein powder, so cannot comment really.
And stress? I run, I knit, I hide in a book. And I make epic quantities of lists. And fail to go to yoga (although really, an hour spent moving slowly and breathing deeply is the best thing!). Lists are wonderful….
Jane recently posted…Tonight, I’m going to bed early
I think lists are probably highly useless (in my experience) but highly satisfying and more for the mental well-being than anything hehe.
I’d love to do the Rome marathon!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1
Congrats on getting into the Boston marathon! That is such a huge and epic race – you should feel so proud of yourself!
And Im sorry to hear about your passport troubles – but I am glad that you are seeing some positivity in it! Im super jealous of this trip of yours, so be sure to share tons of pictures!
Kat recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Waffles
I’m so excited about Boston. I’m going to be so sensible about my training because I don’t want to injure myself beforehand and ruin it!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1
Hooray! I’m so glad that your passport issues are sorted out 😀
I think all US races are crazily overpriced, but Boston is a potential once in a lifetime opportunity, so well worth the cost. I don’t know how people who do it every year along with a lot of the other big races afford it though! I could never justify spending that much on racing. I think all of the races I’ve done this year barely add up to just the one Boston entry. Making a holiday of it sounds like a great idea though – not that I’ve ever been on a plane (and I never will), but the idea of flying out just for the race and then going home straight afterwards would be a nightmare. Far better to overcome the jet lag and get a bit more acclimatised to your timezone and environment.
That tub of protein is gargantuan! I didn’t even know such things existed. I don’t bother much with protein powder any more. I have some Sun Warrior which I still love and use every now and again, but to me protein is overstressed in terms of nutrition anyway. I love my fruits, veggies and carbs and I spent way too many years obsessing over protein in the past.
Jess recently posted…Bupa Great North Run 2015 ~ 1:36:50
I know! So many races, it’s so expensive. I love that we have so many local little ones that are under twenty quid.
I find the protein powder quite handy for when I’m coming back from the gym or work when my time is limited and it’s easy to drink in the car.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1
I saw your passport arrived-hooray! So exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My next holiday is Iceland too- in October half term and I am so looking forward to it 🙂
Wow to Boston- that;s amazing! I can’t think I would ever get that fast, but also it’s not in a school holiday. We spent a lot on Stockholm- I think that was over £100 each for entry, but then it was worth it. And I really want to do a Disney race, but again they are not in the holidays so not really easy for me. There is meant to be a Paris half marathon (Disney) next year, so I am hoping they don’t sell out too quickly- it’s September but could do a weekend there. They are expensive races but the medals are so cool!
Boston is such a nice city too, and generally that part of the US is lovely for travelling around, so doubly worth it!
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…Parkrun wins and a field of cows
Oh amazing you’re going to Iceland too. I bet your photos will put mine to shame! And you’ll probably show me so much that I missed out on. I definitely recommend going to the Glo restaurant on Laugavegur street because it has lots of veggie options and is so tasty and not too expensive.
I’ve always wanted to go to New England so Boston is just perfect. And Disney marathon would be AWESOME.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1
How exiting that you are going to do the Boston Marathon. I have been to Boston and it’s a great city and I bet the atmosphere of the race will be great after what has happened there.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on New York City by Maria @ runningcupcake
I’m so excited!!!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1
I’m so excited for you that you got into Boston Marathon! I can’t even begin to imagine how much it will cost to get out there and run the race, but what an amazing experience!
Also, so exciting that you are off to Iceland! And are about to move house! You have all the exciting going on right now. The stress will all be worthwhile soon! 🙂
I haven’t been on holiday since honeymoon and we haven’t really had any money since to plan anything else. There are still so many places I would love to visit so I hope we get to go away somewhere next year, otherwise I’ll never get through my bucketlist!
Mary recently posted…Speaking too soon
It is all rather exciting right now for definite. Just want to get moving though…so many delays. I want to go shopping for furniture as well hehe!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Reykjavik, Iceland – part 1