Typecast

Over the past few months I have shared an occasional photo either before or after I've been running (yes, I've become one of those people). Recently I feel as though I'm mentioning my "Couch To 5K" (C25K) running group a lot but it's changed the way I think about my own health and fitness. I joined  a community Group Run programme in Blackburn  not long after I started my journey with Slimming World as part of my conscious effort to shed some pounds and ultimately become more active. To be perfectly honest with you, I've never been a "runner". I was always a sprinter. Even the warm-up laps at the track used to knacker me out at training sessions.  And  after I had my accident , I didn't really run any more... I find it hard to explain in words what the Blackburn Group Run C25K programme is like. I tried to complete the process on my own on a couple of occasions but always gave up by week two. The community spirit and the encourage...

I keep meaning to update you all on my " Couch To 5K " volunteering.  I am now leading my second group through the programme (we're currently on week 7) and I'm absolutely LOVING it.  I'd campaign for a C25K group in every single town in the UK if I could. The NHS-supported plan is brilliant for solo or group training, however, for me, it's more the motivation and community aspect of our running club that spurs me on.  I also want to buy ALL THE SPORTS CLOTHES (now, there's a sentence that I never thought I'd write...) and have recently treated myself to some new running leggings. I like to think that they make me more streamline *wink*   Next on the list is some new trainers - my current ones are OK at the moment - so I've started to save up.  In the meantime, Mainline Menswear  told me about their competition to  win some adidas Original Trainers   so I entered for my husband, passed it on to both my sons and I'm sharing with you to...

Moving away from the Scottish scenery of her last two novels, Rachael Lucas has set Coming Up Roses in rural Buckinghamshire but it feels like it could be set in any traditional village anywhere in the UK (observed by one who comes from a very small village in Lancashire) with its large houses, beautiful gardens, the village fete, various committees and obligatory cricket pitch. Coming Up Roses is what I call a 'comfortable' (or 'comforting') read. You quickly find out the role of the main character, Daisy, and sympathise with her plight. You also are introduced gently to the other main players and their presence feels just right; not written to pad out a story line and not overpowering from the main thread of storytelling.  I do feel as though sections of the story could have been expanded on. For instance, the story is set over a period of a few months and the blossoming friendship between Daisy and her two new female friends, Elaine and Jo, seems to tak...

It can be easy to get bogged down in the drudgery and tedium of everyday life. Bills popping through the letterbox like clockwork; the same commute day in, day out to a job that elicits the same degree of excitement and interest as a damp dishcloth; then upon returning home simply watching TV or surfing the net. Life can be rather boring at times, and ruts can appear almost magically out of the ether. What should you do, though, when your life is in need of a little rejuvenation? Art Attack The problem many of us have nowadays is that we don't follow enough hobbies or interests. After getting home from work have a cup of coffee, shun the television and head out to broaden your horizons! If you're a creative soul. think about heading to an art class or photography workshop; you'd be surprised how inexpensive these are (especially compared to nights out) and if you end up showcasing a talent for it, enjoying painting at home could be a real relaxation device after ...

Today is World Cancer Day and I'm taking part in a social media campaign to raise awareness.   Will you join me? Cancer has no prejudice Cancer does not care about race or religion Cancer does not discriminate by age or gender I am uniting with Cancer Research UK to help beat cancer sooner. #WeWillUnite [ video link ] Related:  There are only so many perfect heads in the word, the rest are covered with hair  :  This is about how we discovered my 14 month old daughter had Neuroblastoma - cancer of the adrenal gland.