Rambling Around Northumberland

Today was the first day of my training plan (the aim is to run 3 miles in 8 weeks), had to do a 15 minute 'brisk' walk. Ended up doing a very leisurely walk around various locations in Northumberland, had a nice day though and definitely a good way to start.

We began in Holy Island, clocking 1.5miles of walking, had a lovely picnic too. Weather was gloomy but luckily it meant no more evil sunburn! We moved onto Bamburgh, had a look around the Grace Darling museum which was quite interesting and admired the castle. Finally we ended up eating tea in SeaHouses. A few more walking sessions to go before I start running properly, and luckily my new shoes were far more comfortable too!

The first pitfall...

Soo...new trainers, as pretty as they were clearly hated me, my feet and my big toes. Thought I'd wear them to a BBQ yesterday to make sure they were comfortable, not a problem all night until I went to bed and I've woken up in excruciating pain, argh! Decided that it must have been the shoes, especially as after inspection we discovered that my toes were near enough touching the end of the shoe. Rookie mistake! (I'm suffering from split shins as well which doesn't help, but it's been sore since the Kielder walk). Luckily the nice people at Sports Direct set me right and recommended a men's size 8 (clown feet!). Giving these an outing at Holy Island tomorrow. Fingers crossed for good weather and no more tortured toes!

New running shoes! Pretty pleased with these :-)

Born to Run?

Ok, that's it. Shoes, clothes and water bottle purchased, blog started. I'm actually going to have to do this aren't I?

As this is my first, post an introduction would be advisable I suppose - I'm a music teacher by day, novice runner by night. I have wanted to become fitter and let's face it, less podgy around the midriff for ages, but never found the motivation. I WANT to do lots of things, but doing it is another matter. I enjoy swimming and walking, but I don't do it enough, however after an 11 mile charity walk around Kielder and I have the bug. I always get a growing sense of jealousy watching my friends complete half marathons and fun runs, and wish I could do something as admirable. I did a Dryathlon in January which for me was a big deal and I was pretty proud of myself when I did it (£150 raised for charity as well!) but I always wonder whether I could do MORE? Something which is actually a challenge.

The 11 mile walk I did yesterday gave me a big sense of achievement, I felt GOOD as well (except for the sunburn, ouch!) The weather was glorious, the views was beautiful and the company was excellent. It's that 'good' feeling that seems to have spurred me on and today I was buzzing to go out and buy some running gear and actually do something for once.

I'm quite please with my haul, I've definitely spent too much money but this month, which means I'll have to take up running properly. I have a GPS tracking app and a training plan ready to go, half term seems as good as any time to start so Tuesday will be my first day. I'm not sure how I'll be able to fit work in when I go back, I might do most of my running over the weekend and once in the week, that's when my motivation will probably falter - do I get up early or do it after work? I hate everyone and everything in the morning, and I'm usually a ravenous beast after work so that will be the real first test (that, and the temperamental English weather!)

Anyway, this blog will be used to track my progress with the occasional rant about work. Please enjoy and if you have any advice please chip in! (I've already had the "don't do it!" talk though!)