Hi guys, hope you’re all having a great weekend. The rain has finally stopped, hurrah! Now it’s just very chilly. But dry, so I’m happy.
This week has been busy and long but I’m starting to feel Christmassy now. Might be because at work they have the radio on and every other song is a Christmas one…it wasn’t even December yet!! I loathe to think of what it’s going to be like now we’re actually in December…
At the start of the week I had a great (but very wet) 6 mile run, and on Wednesday I went for another run at lunchtime with one of the guys I went running with on Monday; the 6 min a mile guy. I was a bit nervous just running with him alone as I knew he was much faster than me. But actually it was great. Because he was naturally faster than me it pushed me to maintain a speedy pace. He was chatting away to me while I was on the verge of dying but it was good. Hard but good. We didn’t go off road this time due to it being a lot colder than Monday and we didn’t really fancy wading in the cold canal this time. In the end we did we did a nice 5 mile route along the roads.
I was shattered afterwards! Absolutely dead. But it was good to run at a good speed for a longer period of time. Just not something I’ll do many times in one week I think! I definitely felt it the next day.
Friday I ran with a woman who had a slower pace (9 min a mile) so it was a nice easy 4 mile run. Though very cold!
I never thought I’d enjoy running with other people as much as I do. I was always so focused on my own run and hitting certain targets, but sometimes it’s just nice to have a social run! The time flies by. Maybe every run won’t be pushing the absolute limit to my capability, but it still gets me out there and I still enjoy it. Can’t argue with that!
Instead of my usual strength routines, I’m now doing one mixed strength routine and two plyometric routines. When I researched some moves and planned a routine I think I was a bit over ambitious. I thought I could do the routine three times. I barely did it twice!! It killed me. I didn’t think it’d be so hard. But more on that another time!
On Thursday I was house sitting for my parents for the night as they went off and enjoyed an evening out in London. It really stresses me out not having my own things and the same routine so I really wasn’t looking forward to it. But it wasn’t too bad in the end. Ben and me just got an Indian take-away (chicken tikka mmmm – easier than bringing food and cooking) and enjoyed watching all the dogs together. Alfie came with us and my parents have three of their own dogs.
Left to right: Lexi, Dylan, Sam and Alfie
Alfie and Lexi are the same breed (Cavalier King Charles cross with a Westland Terrier) and they go crazy when they see each other.
They love to play fight with each other and run about the house like mad things. The other two aren’t so bothered…
My parents were so lovely. They left Ben and me a HUGE box of chocolates to say thank you.
Which obviously were a GREAT Friday night treat.
Honestly, these are AMAZING. Jam Roly Pudding, Bakewell Tart, Rhubarb Crumble, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Lemon Meringue…and more!! Though after a few you do start feeling a leeetle bit sick. But so worth it.
And my new favourite ‘go-to’ meal:
Balsamic chicken (chicken fried in balsamic vinegar with a touch of sugar to caramelise it into a sticky sauce) with mashed cauliflower and mozzarella cheese. Heaven. And so simple.
Oh, and the other highlight of my week…getting in from work and getting started on dinner while Ben plays ball with Alfie. Ben kicks Alfie’s tennis ball, it hits his wine glass full of red wine, red wine sprays all over our living room wall, sofa and floor. I just love my husband.
Not sure why it went blue, but needless to say it STUNK. So we had to spend the next half an hour attempting to damage control. It needs repainting unfortunately. Though Ben loves the fact he gets to decorate. He loves doing manly things like painting and DIY. Well, there’s a silver lining for someone I guess…
What have you guys been up to?
Have you tried plyometrics before? Any tips?
I’ve been feeling very Christmassy too, loving all of the Christmas songs on the radio.
Yep it’s definitely feeling a lot like Christmas now 🙂 It’s lovely.
I am feeling SOOOOO festive right now! Shame I have to work for another 3 weeks haha!
Yeah it’s not so fun still being at work. Do you get much time off? Thankfully I get about 9 days off! Woohoo!
We used to have a cavalier – and she was pretty much always in that pose too! Love the two crosses too, they’re gorgeous.
I like cycling with other people, not that it happens very often; it makes me push myself so much more and I feel much better for it… love Ben and Alfie’s game 🙂
It’s funny because Alfie and Lexie are really similar to the Cavaliers in that they love to sleep and do nothing. But then some days they’ll have all this energy and have mad dashes around the place like crazy things.
Definitely exercising with others makes things a bit more interesting!
Haha I get scared running with people that I know are a lot faster than me. I bet it really did motivate you though!! 🙂 Nice job!
Thanks 🙂 Yep I was fairly worried and it was quite tough!
Glad you had a nice weekend. I spent my weekend mostly at home with family. It was nice though. 🙂
Aww, Lexi, Dylan, Sam and Alfie are SO SO cute!! 🙂
Weekends with the family are lovely 🙂 Hehe they are cute, but quite a handful!
Those dogs are lush! Haha I bet you were happy with that red wine incident! The cauliflower mash with cheese sounds heavenly 🙂
The dogs are lovely, but quite a handful all together. Especiall trying to walk them all haha. Ben was not in good books after the red wine incident!
Looks like a nice week! Love the dogs 🙂 Sorry about the wine though!
Yeah the dogs are so lovely but can be a bit of a nightmare when they’re all together. Especially if they’re been out in the rain – means quite a strong wet dog smell!!