Running to work

so the alarm went off early this morning and just before I hit the snooze button I remembered my trainers were sitting by the front door like a child waiting for santa to come to town (sorry about the Christmas reference but we are arranging our Christmas lunch at work just now so the man in red is in my mind!)

So, I gathered together my work clothes, towel and wash bag plus usual handbag goodies such as purse and phone. It was midway I realised my little cute rucksack was going to look more stuffed than a MP's expenses claim so I dug out my big rucksack. By the time I leave the flat when everyone else is still in the land of nod I look like an army wannabe!

Now I must confess I didn't run the entire distance as by the the time I got the the Cowgate part of the city, about 2 miles in, I walked as my legs were aching. I then got to the grassmarket, about 0.5 miles and ran all the way to work. By the time I was near work I was feeling quite good so I am annoyed that I walked some of the way.

Overall I was glad I ran to work as it was quicker than the bus plus fellow runners said hello which has not happened in Edinburgh before. It must all us hard core west coasters out pre 8am!!

After a long day at work I headed to Harvey Nic's with a friend as they were hosting a summer party. There was champers and wine on offer so thanks to no dinner and being up early I was giggling after just one glass! I bought some Japanese Pickled Ginger mayo and Chanel lip gloss.

Overall, it has been a lovely day only improved if I got

to go home to Mark but we live opposite sides of the

country so that is that. I really miss him. It sometimes still makes me laugh that after years of looking upon the West Highland Way runners as 'freaks' who have never heard of public transport to get about that I go and fall in love with one but I am so glad I did.

back in trainers

at long last I am back running!!!! Since my last blog which was at least a million years ago I have been fitted with my insoles and I have now worn them enough that I could start to run in them over the weekend. I managed 1.5 miles on Saturday morning along Prestwick beach then on Sunday 3 miles in Arthur Seat. So far so good and the shins felt no pain whatsoever so maybe the £300 has been worth it!!

Due to my forced running break and the fact that I could only find my way to shops and bars instead of the gym my legs are complaining today. So, since I was walking gingerly in the office I decided that I would randomly mention the marathon in the hope that people would think 26.2 miles caused me to walk the way rather than risk that rumour to start again.....

So in my new found joy of getting into my Mizuno's ( thanks to Run and Become in Edinburgh for the top notch advice) I have signed up for:

• a 5K at the Lomond Shores on 14th June

• a 10k on the Isle of Berneray on 11th July as Mark and I are going to Uist that weekend so figured may as well try my first 10k on a wind blown island with a race field of around 30 just so I can have a chance to win the last runner prize!

• The rat race in Edinburgh on Saturday 18th July which is at least 10K of running like a nutter round the streets of Edinburgh. My fellow rats are Dario and Karen D. Our team name is Happy Days in honour of George Reid. Everytime I see George during races and training runs he has a massive smile and say's Happy Days so I am hoping to gain inspiration from the great man.

I am planning to run to work tomorrow as I have to work late so will not manage tomorrow night. Thanks to the joy of tram works in our fine capital it takes me nearly an hour to cross the city by bus so I am hoping my mechanically challenged limbs will be faster.

While my trainers are in limbo....

My trainers are in limbo. Which is actually a bit of a nuisance for a running blog....however fear not as I have not being idle during my forced respite for I been partaking in some other pastimes which involve increased heart rate, sheer determination and the joy of achieving the ultimate goal...

.....by spending the weekend in London which involved quite a few of the opposite and then shopping for a dress to wear to my birthday lunch in the South of France in August oh la la

Oh I just love when you enter the store and there on the hanger is just what you have been looking for, the right style, colour and look you want to create. The sense of pleasure of trying on the dress as it skims your body in all the right places, you forget the disappointment of the wrong lengths, the colours that don't just work or worst case scenario it just makes you look a minger.

Now if only I could transfer the dedication to getting just the right outfit for a special occasion to running maybe there is more than a 5k in me however first of all I need to get the shoes and handbag to match plus there is the jewellery and then of course there is make -up to decide upon so really I don't know when I will have time to put running in.....

Hot totty at the Fling

Well, what can I say but there was a lot of totty at the Fling. A big thank you to all the men who ran without their tops on it was very much appreciated by the marshalls at Beinglas.

The Fling was a great weekend. Unfortunately, there was parking issues but it got sorted and Murdo is already looking for ways to improve the situation.

It was nice to be out on the course and see family members during the race. At WHWR I am indoors so it was good to be outdoors and soak up the atmosphere. It was good to be able to see DQ and make sure he was hydrated, fed and feeling fine. I feel bad that I can't be race support for Mark as I am marshall at the fling, race control at Cateran and WHWR. I would like to be there for him but I love helping at the races and can't imagine not doing it. It will be hard being unable to be support him during WHWR and I am concerned that I will not have time to even check on him as it is so hectic being race control.

The ceilidh was good fun at night and it was great being able to catch up with everyone. My head was a little tender on the Sunday morning as the hall served the wine in half pint glasses and Pirate boy was in charge of the rounds!

The next big race is the Cateran next month when I hope to at least have my insoles and my trainers out of quarantine......

Trainers still in limbo

I feel a bit of a fruad with this blog at the moment since my trainers are in limbo until I get my insoles.

However, my life is not without running as I am helping out at the Fling on Saturday. Dario is a tad concerned how I am going to cope with only being a marshall rather than next in line of command as I am for the WHWR. For some reason Dario and my better half DQ seem to be under the impression that I enjoy being in charge and being in control. Now in all fairness I did give DQ detailed instructions on how to answer a phone while I went to the toilet during last years WHWR but I am very protective of my runners, so I had to make sure things were in hand during my two minute absence.

I am at Beinglas checkpoint with the Lovely Lee so I am excited as we can have a proper girlie catch up. At the River Ayr Way race we debated about having a marking scheme for the male runners with categories such as general good looks, legs in shorts etc etc but there was not enough runners. The Fling however is a different kettle of fish!!! I think Runners world would love a Fling top totty list !!!!

First of all can I thank DQ for updating the blog during my brief period of internetless. Although can I just say that I am not deformed but a person with bio-mechanical difficulties.

As DQ explained I am off the trainers while a lab in NI scans the plaster cast of my foot with the bio-mechanical prescription to make my super duper insole. These insoles will allow me to fly like the wind and have Jez Bragg seeing only the back of my running jersey! Well, that is a tad ambitious but I have to justify the £300 I am spending on these insoles somehow, but just think how cool would it be if I could runner faster than Jez. I would get to be sponsored by North Face - oh imagine the jackets I would get never mind the bags - I could have one in every colour!

So, how come a princess who has never ran the length of herself is spending £300 on insoles? Now, do not get me wrong I have spent that region of cash on items for my feet before but that was for a pair of gorgeous knee high leather boots from New York with heels so high that they are only practicable for nights out when you are getting a limo everywhere. Hence, they are my limo boots but anyway I digress....

As a consequence of the bio-mechanical difficulties I am no longer running Troon 10K or the Barrathon and I have to say I am surprised just how disappointed that I am. When I first got the diagnosis and DQ explained that Barrathon was off I was adamant that I would be fine and I was quite nippy with him. It took me a few days to accept that he was completely right but I found it hard.

I am hopeful that the insoles help otherwise the trainers will need to be hung up. The bio man has recommended that I do not take part in aerobics, careful what swim strokes I do plus suggested that maybe I take up mountain biking again. However, I feel that I have not explored the runner in me yet. Plus I now have the incentive of securing that sponsorship deal.........

Update from DQ

Geraldino is internet-less at the moment so, I have been asked to update the blog for those that desperate to pry into her life. Let's be honest, she isn't exactly prolific on the blogging front is she?

Anyway, things have not been great in Dino land. She had been experiencing a lot of pain in her foot and what sounded like shin splints type discomfort. She tried gritting her teeth and getting on with it but it was really too much for her and was really holding her back from making gains in stamina and fitness. So, she bit the bullet and went to see a Biomechanic. I love that title. Bio - mechanic. Am I the only one that comes over all sci-fi at the mention of Biomechanic? I digress. The Bio-technician (another good one!) looked her over for a while. Checked this and looked at that, and eventually came to the conclusion that she is deformed. She has the kness of a freak and weird toe joints. Not good.

The long and the short of it is that the Bio-boy reckons he can do some good and has cast her for orthotics. One's with a bit for the toes. He thinks that this should greatly improve the situation for her. I think as all runners would agree, there is nothing worse than having to run with pain and discomfort. It does not make for a good time out and is hardly going to make you want to go for another one anytime soon. All not very good at all when you are just starting out.

It should be about another two weeks before the inserts are going to be ready. In the mean time, herself has joined the gym at work and will be hitting the exercise bike, rowing machine etc. with great gusto from tomorrow onwards.

Of course, this all means that Troon and Barra are no more. It would be foolhardy for her to attempt these on almost no training at all. Any future outings in Race land will have to wait until the end of the year or, more probably, next year. She is hugely disappointed. I am sure that we can all sympathise as we have been there at some point or another.

So, Runner in the City is a walker for the next wee while. Here's hoping that the orthotics do the trick and that she will be back trooting along pretty soon.

Later.