Monday 27 December 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a good one. It was a quiet affair for us this year remembering 2 people we've lost. As its my favourite season I made the best of it. Back home now and looking forward to the new year and New Year's Eve when we will be seeing Queen WWRY musical. I can hardly wait for that. I just want to wish you all a happy healthy and prosperous 2011.  Thank you for reading and for your constant support. I hope you have some great plans for the day/evening and some resolutions too. Lots of love from Sarah xxx 

Wednesday 1 December 2010

World AIDS Day 2010

On this the 1st December I hope that all are wearing your red ribbons. I must confess to being abit disappointed in the lack of red ribbons I saw around today. I think this indicates that there is still  a great need to continue to raise awareness of the horror that is AIDS, to keep it in people's conciousness. I wore mine with pride and I do have a watch with a red ribbon on. I had to work today so couldn't really wear it and I couldn't get it  to go lol. Today is also the second day of snow for us. Whilst I am enjoying it does mean I can't go out running. I don't want to risk breaking a leg or spraining an ankle. As I live opposite a wonderful leisure centre, this means that I shall be having 2 hour gym sessions on the treadmill. Not as good as running outside but better that doing nothing ;) Stay well and warm love Sarah xxx  

Sunday 14 November 2010

A tiny update

When I got out of bed this morning I weighed myself and to my utter joy I have lost more weight! So, thats now a total of 10 pounds! I hope it stays off. It would be nice to lose abit more, especially around the usual places ;) I think the cold weather probably has something to do with it. I may put some weight back on immediately, actually. I say this because my other half made a feast of a breakfast pre-empted by some ducks eggs I bought yesterday ;D.
By the way, my running partner Joe and I now have Facebook page so you can get the lowdown there too on what we are doing, interact with us and have abit of fun. Please consider sponsoring me, this isn't an easy gig. I can't express my appreciation enough, or stress how important it is to support Starfish*.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Sarah-and-Joes-Brighton-Marathon-April-2011/120777117978635

Stay well and take care xxx

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Hi All  ;D

Having sponsors from all over the world, usually means it takes some time to collect all the money together. For this year I have now finally done that. I am happy to report that Starfish now have all of the money which I raised from my 10k run back in May. The grand total was £170 (250 euros). I cannot stress enough how grateful and appreciative I (and Starfish) are for every single sponsor, pound and cent xxx <3 A huge warm thank you to you all. Today there is an update by The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association on some of the work they do. They have a long distance adoption programme going on helping kids in Malawi get a proper education etc. This update is about one such young, very sweet child named Amadi.

http://www.rutgerhauer.org/rutgerhauer.org/adoption/amadi.php

Of course normally what happens is that I rest for many months and begin training again in January. As you know I am running in my first ever marathon next april with my friend Joe. So my training continues and will will keep you posted on our joint blog

http://trainingforthelondonmarathon.blogspot.com/

Yeah I know it says London in the link when it should say Brighton. Tell joe! lol. This will be a fun but gargantuan effort for us both. I am of course doing this as ever to raise funds and am collecting sponsorship from now. Please do consider sponsoring me for this very worthwhile cause. All funds are important and I hope to significantly increase the mount I raise from now until april. Thank you ever so much and also thanks just for reading.

Warm wishes,

Sarah

PS I won't be able to help talking about this and asking for sponsorship at all available opportunities so forgive me if it gets old or I get annoying! xxx

Monday 12 July 2010

Good news and bad...

I will be posting news of my fundraising total for this year's run soon. Sadly my mother in law passed away during the night. Rest in Peace Pearl xxx

Saturday 29 May 2010

Happy bank holiday folks! ;D

Good morning world! I was surprised that a week after my 10k run for Starfish my body was still aching. That has never happened before, I must be getting old lol. The body is more capable than you might think. I went out for a gentle jog and was fine, felt wonderful in fact and did this again the next day. It is the bank holiday weekend here in the UK not to mention half term so I have a week off. I plan to go out for a run shortly and then we are going down south just overnight to see the inlaws. I shall be packing my running shoes too. So on my week off I intend to do plenty of swimming and running. I also might do some cooking too, Colleagues have been tantalising me with talks of risotto. Never made it before so that shall be interesting and fun. Have a healthy and happy weekend everyone.hugs Sarah xxx   

Sunday 23 May 2010

2010 BUPA Manchester run report

This time last sunday I was full of elation at finishing this run. The weather was glorious after a cool start. I love Manchester!It has been a great day, my new shoes served me well and I managed to shave 10 minutes off my time ;)I now have sore feet and a sunburnt forehead  I've survived and am now rehydrating, hoping it will kill headache. It was another wonderful day and I didn't see many costumes this year though did see lots of causes which people are running for. Obviously I didn't see the run on the Beeb but there will be footage appearing soon of me crosing the finish line ;) So now its time to collect funds. Thank you to all who had faith in me to give me theirs before the run. On days like today though seeing all folks are doing to make a difference and raise funds I can only see the positive side of people. Not in a naive way though, the crap is out there. Photo's in to Starfish soon and I shall reveal the total when I have it all Speaking of revelations here we go, my exciting news. I have registered for next years fun run already, this will be the Brighton Marathon, yes marathon on 10th April. As I'm still collecting for this run and getting over it lol I'm not expecting any sponsorship for this just yet. Not that I ever expect anyway, only hope. I am happy and honoured to do this for Starfish. So after a week of rest I'm back in training and stepping it up a notch. Lots of love Sarah xxx

Saturday 15 May 2010

Nearly there again

Well its almost here at last and already! ;D Tomorrow is the big day and I can't wait! I just love the atmosphere at this thing. My training is now complete. I had a lovely evening jog lastnight at sunset and am taking it easy today. Doing nothing but smile. I shall have an early night too. Don't forget the run is being televised at 10am on BBC2 Here is a taster videoclip for those interested in getting a glimpse into this run and Manchester. http://www.greatrun.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=4 Thank you from the bottom of my soles to everybody who has supported and sponsored me. I am always most grateful and appreciate of sponsorship, as it is badly needed for these HIV+kids <3.  Standby for a full report and surprising news about next year already, keep on smiling and thank you friends, family and Starfish. hugsss xxx

Monday 3 May 2010

The Great Outdoors

Happy bank Holiday everyone. We are celebrating Glynn's birthday so this means we always henjoy this day. So far he has taken it easy and enjoyed playing with his new pc gadet which he requested lol. We are looking forward to a nice chinese buffet in town this evening. Oh I digress. I found a really interesting article which indicates that outdoor exercise especially in a green enviroment is great for our well-being. Hurrahh! ;D

From BBC News:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8654350.stm

First I need to go out and run though ;) Yesterday I changed my route slightly. It is longer, very enjoyable on the eyes and the ground is more uneven. I certainly got a good workout and will now stick to this route. I am still jogging around the block but now it is a longer run and I'm still bumping into other runners. Very motivating.

Hugs Sarah xxx

Saturday 1 May 2010

Updates,

I'm having a great day today. Partly due to the sun shining upon us gloriously and also partly because I have done enough swimming and running and feel fine. I was up at 7.30am this morning for a swim. My leg isn't 100% better, still some pain and I shall see my doctor again pre-race but it is alot better. I can train no problem that is the important thing.  I have updated my website today as well. Also upgraded it too.

http://sarahstracks.website.orange.co.uk/
This blog has passed its second birthday (10th Jan) which I forgot to commemorate. Oops sorry blog.

Take care all and lease sponsor me, even if only a few pence. It all adds up and is needed. Thank you very much and stay healthy

Hugs xxx

Wednesday 28 April 2010

RH Message to Sea Shepherd Captain.

I love this message and this is one of many reasons why I love Mr Hauer <3

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Shoes news ;)

Today I was excited to be buying myself a pair of new running shoes. First though I must say goodbye to my old faithfuls. They were my first pair of running shoes and have served me well since 2002. Unfortunately as of last year I can use them no more, the soles have cracked and split all the way through. Last year I bought myself an inexpensive pair of trainers to train in and also used them for the race. Continued wear has rendered them unusable and I slung them out and replaced them earlier this year. Hear are a couple of pix of my old faithfuls. Take a look at and say goodbye to my Nike Max Air running shoes.





I shall have these photo's to remember them by and also memories of 6 races ;D

Now please give a warm welcome to my new shoes ;) My size 7.5 New Balance. A strange name I know lol. Many thanks to the lovely young helpful chap who served me. He turned out to be a physiotherapist. What alot he knows about shoes and muscles too. He gave me something called a gait analysis which required me to run on a treadmill for a few minutes in a pair of 'neutral' shoes. Turns out my gait is actually neutral so that was easy for him then  So my nice new running shoes which set me back £75 quid have a neutral cushion. Looking forward to breaking them in.


I had several pairs to chose from but it was the twisty laces which swung it. This does serve a purpose, it stops the laces from coming undone. Excellent! The shoes themselves look blue in these pictures but they are purple. Don't the backs look odd? They don't in reality ;)

In other news: My left calf is still very painful when I walk anywhere though I can walk properly, no more hobbling. I have seen my doctor this morning. He wants me to see him again in 2 weeks time and advises gentle exercise. If it hurts then I am to stop :( I think I shall do alot more swimming in that case. On the plus side, I love swimming.

Hugs xxx

Saturday 27 March 2010

Oh NO! ;(

Such a fine day I was going to have a walk about town with my beloved. We got as far as the bus stop when suddenly for some unknown reason my left calf muscle became quite painful. I've pulled it! Glynn went on without me and I returned home to a hot bath which made no difference. I'll just have to hope it goes away in a day or 2 :( 

Saturday 20 March 2010

24 hour cycle marathon!

No it isn't me lol. This is a very special weekend though. It started at noon today in Gorredijk, Friesland a 24 hour indoor cycle marathon by some lovely people with funds being raised for the same wonderful cause I support : The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. You can find out more info by looking at their website

http://www.sportcentrumunifit.nl/home.axd

You will need to be able to read dutch though lol. Aren't some people just amazing? I <3 all lovely people.
Good luck to them for this currently happening event, I bet they are having lots of fun. I hope they raise a ton and then some and aren't too tired tomorrow xxx

In other news, nothing exciting to report other than the predictable yes I am running regularly as well as swimming and haven't broken any bones yet. I shall be buying a new pair of running shoes soon and will post a pic of them here alongside  a pic of my old ones ;p. I do have some exciting news but I can't tell you that until next year ;D

So on that enigmatic note.............

Happy weekend everyone

Hugs xxx

Friday 5 February 2010

I'm in!

Phew such a relief, I don't mind admitting that I was a little worried! I am officially now one of 36,000 runners taking part in the BUPA Manchester 10k run on Sunday 16th May ;D This means of course that I am now in training again, ready to hit the gym and the road. Also and more importantly, I am now accepting sponsorship. Please just give what you can, every little helps and every cent/penny etc goes to The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association to help HIV+ pregnant ladies and babies. I deeply and sincerely appreciate every single donation and sponsorer/friend and take all currencies. I must apologise in advance to the Twitterverse as I will probably mention this frequently only with the hopes of increasing funding for Starfish. This year for the first time there will be live tv coverage on the BBC of the race so I'd better keep on running.......Right now I am a happy bunny!
Lots of love to you all xxx

http://www.greatrun.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=4

And if you need evidence of my shenanigans in the past then please visit

http://www.rutgerhauer.org/rutgerhauer.org/fundraisingrun.php

Hugs ;)

Sunday 10 January 2010

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it but this blog is exactly one year old today already! Happy Anniversary 'Sarah in Training' ;D I have marked the occasion by reading back over the early entries from last year. Some goodies I had forgotten about. Alot not relevant to my running, but attempts to keep this blog active. As I now have a 2nd blog I really should keep the material as on topic as possible. I shall try. Thank you to everyone who has ever visited and read me here <3 <3 <3. Of course I shall keep you appraised of all the news and drama involved with this years 10k run. Thank you for reading xxx

 

Saturday 9 January 2010

BUPA Greater Manchester 10k Run 2010!

The exciting news is as you can probably guess from the title, is that I have successfully registered for this years fun run with the goal of raising as many funds as possible for The Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation. Alas my place is not guaranteed. There are 36,000 places this year which is 3000 more than last year. This is the 3rd day of registration for this race and I wasn't quick enough. The last 10,000 are subject to a ballot and yours truly is in that :( Seems silly to me but anyway fingers, toes etc crossed. Of course this means I can't do anything until I know for sure. The ballot takes place around the 1st February and I will know whether or not I've been successful by  5th February so please send positive vibes this way ;) So a tad frustrated at the moment, love doing this and getting wheels in motion.
Lots of love xxx