Merry Xmas, Happy New Year - & The Future Of The 50 List...

Greetings from Glasgow. Hope everyone has been having a good festive break.

This isn't quite the end of year blog post I ever expected to be writing. With 29 tasks completed and 8 long term ongoing tasks well underway I thought I would be writing about how much I've enjoyed the last 8 months and how much I'm raring to get on with next year's tasks and challenges.

Instead, I'm currently at home in Scotland brokenhearted. For those who don't know, my beloved Dad unexpectedly and suddenly passed away last week having suffered a massive heart attack. Having to perform CPR on my own Dad was not a 'challenge' I ever anticipated having to go through. Nor did I think that I would ever have to, along with my brother and sister in law, break such awful news to a poorly Mum while she was recovering in hospital from a badly fractured femur.  To say we are all devastated is an understatement. I don't have the words to describe how I truly feel.

I have always been incredibly close to my Dad, a real Daddy's girl. At this moment in time, while everything is still so raw, I'm not sure whether I can carry on with this list. My heart is really not in it right now. However. My Dad was so so proud of this whole 50 before 50 challenge and so very much enjoyed hearing about what I'd be getting up to next. He loved the fact I was trying many new things, was proud that I have been able to raise money for charity along the way and was fascinated and obsessed by how his little girl - never an athlete or sporty person as he kept reminding me - had started running at this age and was taking part in 5k races, generally dressed like an idiot! My Mum, she would really like me to continue on, in memory of him. I haven't yet decided if I will. So, you may hear from me again. If not, then I would like say thank you. Thanks for being interested, for reading about my exploits, for encouraging, for donating, and for being there. I hope truly, that everybody has an amazing, and loving, 2018.  Below, my favourite picture. Me, and my beloved Daddy, Tommy Warrington.

DONE: No. 18 - Take Part in the Santa and Elf 5k Dash

My final fun run of 2017 was the Santa and Elf 5k Dash which takes place each year down in Cardiff Bay in support of the charity Welsh Hearts.  I almost didn't make it as the curse of Arriva Train Fails struck and even although there is only about one Valleys line train an hour (if you're lucky) on a Sunday it still managed to be 20 minutes late..  However, the ever patient Stewart stepped in and drove me down the Bay instead.

As we were approaching Roald Dahl Plas he asked me if I knew exactly where I was meant to be, er no! Then we saw one elf, then another, and then a whole army of elves, and Santas and a couple of Christmas puddings, so it was pretty much a case of 'Follow that elf!'

I hadn't expected quite so many people to be doing this - hundreds!  And I reckon 100% of the people taking part were wearing fancy dress, if anybody wasn't wearing anything remotely Christmassy they would be the ones looking pretty silly among an absolute ocean of red and green costumes.

There's actually not too much to say about this fun run.  I went dressed as a Christmas elf - OBVS - it was 5k and it was alright.   It was totally not competitive and I can't say truthfully that I ran the whole 5k but then again I don't think anybody could have as there were quite a few log jams where you had to walk.  I quite liked the atmosphere though as there was no pressure at all - just a few hundred people out on a thankfully dry and not too chilly day raising money for a heart charity.  I did run the majority of the route though and yet again came in in just under 35 minutes.   Over the next few months I will really have to start taking my running seriously as I am hoping and intending to double the distance now and have my first ever 10k in my sights for mid March.   No silly outfits involved, no walking, but a proper, serious and grown up run!!!

I can't believe that I am ending this year having taken part in four 5k runs, me - who only started running in August.  I'm not going to lie - I'm really quite chuffed with myself, not just because of my age and the fact I smoke but also because I have basically been living with chronic pain for the last two years.  Running doesn't exactly stop the chronic pain but at least it gives me something different to think about and goals to strive towards.  It all does come down to positive mental attitude and that, I'm discovering, should NEVER be underestimated.

Anyway, I'll finish now with a few more pictures from the end of the race.   There was no medal for this run - boooo - but we did all get a certificate and a Welsh Hearts t-shirts.

See you soon!

DONE: No.47: Design and Carve a Silver Ring

Made By Hand contemporary craft fair takes place each year in Cardiff City Hall.  It's a huge affair!  Hundreds of exhibitors showing off exquisite crafts and also there is a lovely range of workshops and masterclasses to take part in.  

This is my first visit to the Fair and I chose to take part in the 'Design and Carve a Silver Ring' workshop.   It was a lovely, small workshop with 8 people taking part in total.   All materials and equipment were supplied.  We each had our own workmat with the basic tools we were going to be using.   I had no idea what to expect before the workshop, I knew we would be carving using jewellers wax but what on earth is jewellers wax?  Think I was expecting a cross between plasticine and play doh but in actual fact it was more like a piece of hard plastic.  Here is my mat!

That blue 'thing' is the jewellers wax.   The other 'tools' include a craft knife, two types of sandpaper, a thimble so's I wouldn't slice my fingers with the knife, and a tealight.   Must admit when I sat down initially I couldn't work out why there were so many lighters but then when I saw the tealight, the penny dropped.  The jewellers wax is hard, really hard, so to make it more pliable you can hold it over the tealight.

To start with you have to take the jewellers wax and place it on a very phallic looking tool - I have no idea what the official name is so I'll just call it the ring sizer.  There's so much potential here for double entendres!   One 'side' of the ring sizer has a really sharp blade so you basically just keep turning the wax on the sizer until you have a ring which fits.

Once you were happy with the size, you basically got going with the craft knife and started carving away.   The flat bit
 at the top took a lot of work to fashion into a curve but holding it over the tealight really helped.  I really enjoyed the carving/whittling bitty but to be honest it was quite difficult to know when to stop.  I was desperately trying to keep it all even but if some parts were thinner than others you had to keep going to try and even it up.   I did get a bit too carried away here and my piece of wax actually split, but thankfully Maggie, the tutor was able to solder it back together. 

Because I now had a ring with a pretty delicate part that kind of gave me inspiration for what to do next.  I was going to melt some extra wax on top to create a fake stone!!!  They had previously discarded bits of wax that you could play with - thankfully there were tongs that you could use.

Eventually, it started to take shape. I was quite happy with the shape and it did look like a ring.  Amazeballs!



So, once I was happy with it, I handed it over and after labelling them, Maggie sent all our 'creations' away to the jewellers quarter in Birmingham so they could cast the rings in solid silver.   We were told it could take two to three weeks and yep, today, I got my ring back through the post.   I'd quite like to describe it as rustic, organic and from the 'naive' school.  Stewart kind of said that it looked like something you'd get out of a Christmas cracker, a bit of silver with a blob on top.  Well, I made this, it's shiny, and I am perfectly happy with my bit of silver with a blob on top.





DONE: No.31 Cardiff Mo Run 5k

Sunday 12th November myself and Stewart took part in the Cardiff Mo Run 5k race which was held in Bute Park, Cardiff.   Before I begin, I should quickly explain the sudden appearance of my facial hair which will be seen in photies throughout this post!   The 'Mo' Runs are events which are held as part of 'Movember' month.  This is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mens mental health issues etc.   Why did we take part?  My father-in-law, Welsh Dad, had testicular cancer when he himself was quite young and Stewart and his brother were still only teenagers.  So, Stewart watched his Dad go through the intensive treatment at quite a young age.  Welsh Dad was a survivor though and lived 30 odd years beyond his diagnosis.  But, it makes you think.

So,  as if by magic I developed a lovely and bushy ginger beard, moustache and eyebrows.  I find it quite hard to look at these photos as with facial hair I have become the double of my Dad and it's quite freaky!

We turned up early to Bute Park and although it had threatened to rain, thankfully the rain stayed off and instead it was beautiful, but freezing and chilly November morning.   We received our race packs, and waited.   There were prizes for best fancy dress and there was also a competition for the best grown moustache for men.  Stewart entered, as he grows a tache each year, but he didn't win. He's told each year that when he grows his movember he looks like Heisenberg, a character out of Breaking Bad, dunno myself.   I was a bit miffed that there wasn't a similar competition for ladies with facial hair as although there were a lot of brave souls with moustaches I believe, but I may be wrong, that I was the only bearded lady.  I'm sure that I'd have been in with a shout.  I'm never going to be in with a chance of a prize for my running, but my beard.....

There must have been around 500 of us beginning to gather ahead of the race starting.  While we waited, we watched the Mini Mo race finish as there was a mile race for youngsters.  Then, as it was Remembrance Sunday, we all observed a two minute silence.  Then, a quick warm up and the 5k runners were asked to go to the start line.  Unfortunately we were late to work this out as Stewart went looking for a rubbish bin so we ended right at the very back of the 300 or so runners.  This slightly scunnered me when the race began as normally when I run I go off fast - too fast to be honest - and then when I start to panic that I can't breathe because I've started too fast I slow right down and get into my natural slow and measured pace. 

Unfortunately, because we were at the back I couldn't do this as I was too busy trying to pass folks slower than me, folk walking, and a few folk running with buggies.  It's also the first time that I've run without the Couch to 5k commentary so I had no idea of timings or distance.  I tried my best though to start with but I just didn't get into my 'groove' or into my 'zone'.  Stewart keeps saying that my struggle with running is all psychological and I don't entirely disagree.   Because of all this I properly felt that I was doing rubbish, was going to be really slow and get a really crap time so I kind of gave up trying with a couple of kilometres to go.  I did keep going though.

Stewart himself is a natural runner so we didn't run together, he shot off and managed to weave his way through the crowds and actually ended up a top 100 fnisher.  Good for him, I'm in awe, but thankfully, even although we're normally both highly competitive I'm happy to accept that he can literally run rings round me.  I'm happy just to do my own thing.

So, the end was getting closer, I really didn't think I'd run well at all so was slightly disheartened but, as I got close to the finish line there was a group of kiddies all lined up to offer us 'grown up's high fives!  They themselves all had medals so they'd done their own race and then waited around to encourage us oldies.  I thought that was delightful.   I might not be smiling as I'm high fiving them but believe me, I was smiling inside.  Either that or you just can't see the smile cos of the beard!

So, I finished, and met up with Stewart.  And immediately my race result came through on my phone.  I did the 5k in just over 34 minutes!  I couldn't freaking believe it!  That was my goal and the time I was hoping for - and I should be really chuffed - but -  I was gutted and kicking myself!  I know I didn't try my best and kind of gave up so now I'm left wondering, what time would have I got if I'd applied myself!!   I AM chuffed with the time but I know in my heart of hearts I could have done better.  Still, when I got the whole comparison thingy I discovered that in my category of Veteran Females 40-49 I came 20th out of 66 runners.  I'm seriously pleased and shocked and stunned with this.   This is really encouraging as when I started running - only 3-4 months ago- I always assumed that I was only every going to be at the back of races.  I'm not as crap as I thought I was :)

Anyways, I earned my medal, and so did Stewart, and we had a really nice day together.   When we travelled home we went via our favourite pub and I kept the beard and tache and Jimmy hat on.  The looks I got were hysterical.   So, only a few weeks till my next 5k.  Wonder how I'll be dressed for that one. 

DONE: No.50: Complete the Cardiff Snowdog Trail

Complete the Cardiff Snowdog Trail - DONE!  But, what the hell is the Cardiff Snowdog Trail?  Basically, from September till November this year, 43 snowdogs and 57 snowpups were unleashed at sites all across the city and the Vale of Glamorgan.  Each 'snowdog' is sponsored by a company and decorated by an artist, each snowpup has been decorated by a primary school or young persons group.  Actually, I’m not entirely sure why they are specifically ‘snow’ dogs and ‘snow’ pups but I think it’s something to do with Raymond Briggs and the Snowman! That makes sense - but basically they are huge, individually decorated doggies. Why?  It is all being done in aid of Ty Hafan, the major children's hospice provider in Wales.  

You start by downloading an app: Snowdogs: Tails in Wales - and all proceeds go towards Ty Hafan.  The app has an interactive map of where the snowdogs and snowpups are situated and then you go get 'em.   It has taken me four weeks to track them all down, mainly because I don't drive so have been getting trains and walking.   The majority of them are in central Cardiff but but I also had to get my ass down to Cardiff Bay, Penarth, Barry Island and the airport.   I think that's what I have found most fun, exploring parts of the city I don't really know.  Even when I got lost - a few times.   Having the interactive map was good, but wasn't fool proof!  Here are all 43 snowdogs:

 Each of the dogs has a different name and via the app you get to vote for your favourite. At this moment in time, the leading dog is one called Enfys and I'd probably agree with this, as he's decorated with the major sights of Cardiff it's not surprising.

By the way, I did think that snowdog hunting would be an easy way for me to bump up the number of selfies I've been taking over the 12 months - I don't like photos and I'm awfully shy when it comes to asking other folk if they'd be in a selfie  - hence I thought the snowdogs as inanimate objects who can't say no would be really useful.   Not so useful - I'm not a great photographer and still so shy that I just want to snap a photo as quickly as possible and then run!  If you can see a snowdog in any of these supposed selfies then well done!!!

That's about it for this task - a gentle and easy one, just required a bit of time and a bit of planning with regards to getting around the city.  Still, it gave me purpose at lunchtimes and I quite liked how different each dog was and the thought that had gone into them by each of the artists.  But, it's over now, for me anyway -  maybe I'll have to buy myself the paint your own snowdog figurine now as a keepsake!

DONE: Double Bubble - No.3: Couch to 5k AND No.35: Light up Cardiff 5k

Well!  I can't quite believe that I am finally able to say I have successfully completed the Couch to 5k running programme.  And, finished it with my first ever proper running race, the Light Up Cardiff 5k.  To say I'm chuffed is an understatement!

Initially I only included C25k because so many other birthday challenge lists all seemed to include really impressive sporty achievements.   I didn't feel that it was realistic for me to all of a sudden decide to run the London Marathon, not this year anyway, and if I wanted to sign up for a few fun 5k runs then realistically I'd have to start from the beginning - hence C25k.  I've never been a runner or an athlete or a sporty person.  When I was young I was a dancer and trained for 16 years or so, I was fit then.  Also, I'm walking fit and have completed 3 power walking marathons - yep, the full 26 point something miles - and these each involved 3 months dedicated training plans but running......By the way, this photo below isn’t because I’m an exhibitionist - the Moonwalk London is a power walking marathon for women and you all walk in decorated bras!

The C25k programme I'd heard so much about and it's been going for years so it must work?  Surely?  It's a 9 week programme and involves going out 3 times each week to walk/run for a total of 30 minutes each time.  In actual fact it has taken me quite a bit longer than the 9 weeks as I did feel the need to repeat a few of the weeks.  That's the amazing thing about the programme, it's up to you to see how you feel and if you need an extra week, or two, or three, well, you can.

So, 18th July, I went out for my very first attempt at running - at the age of 49, a heavy smoker for 30 years - how hard could it be?  I'd invested in proper running leggings, a couple of t-shirts, an ipod armband thingy and then the most important piece of kit - a reinforced, feat of engineering - the sports bra!  Oh my goodness ladies - this is SOOOO important.   Those puppies were not able to move an inch with a proper sports bra on. 

So, out we went - thankfully and amazingly Stewart agreed to follow the programme with me.   If you download the NHS C25k training app you get the choice of four 'trainers'.   Choose from Jo Whiley, Michael Johnson, Sanjeev Kohli or Sarah Millican.  It was a tough one - Sanjeev Kohli is an actor from two of my favourite programmes (Scottish telly) River City and Still Game, but, I went with Sarah cos she doesn't look a runner so I thought she might sound a bit more understanding along the way and she was.  We got called 'Flower' and 'Petal' and she was the right type of soothing and encouraging voice. Even though I did swear at her a lot when she would say 'only another 60 seconds to go, come on you can do it' - ANOTHER FREAKING 60 SECONDS, YOU BITCH, I'M DYING OUT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

So, Week 1-4;  These are basically running short distances, walking in between, running again etc and building up from running 60 second bursts, to 90 second bursts, to 3 minute bursts to 5 minute bursts.  Always interspersed with walking.  Without question, these first four weeks for me were the hardest.  Looking back, I now laugh at the fact I cried and swore at having to run for only 5 minutes at a time but really, when you are a complete beginner these are the toughest weeks. You still don't think you can do it, what is coming in front of you seems impossible and I railed against it all. But, each week, Sarah Millican was there saying 'come on pet, you can do it'.

Just so I don't write way too much without making this a pretty blog, these are the random photos I took during my last few months of trying to become a runner:

Week 5 - you look ahead at what you're going to be doing and everybody without question during Week 5 goes WTF???  Week 5 is infamous!   You build up to doing two 10 minute runs and all of a sudden and from out of nowhere they chuck in a 20 minute continuous run!  Wait a second - the longest we've managed till now in a wunner is 10 minutes and all of a sudden you think I can keep going for 20 minutes??? Are you mad?  Actually, by the time you reach this point, Week 5, you're pretty determined and focussed - you've already done so many runs and have got into a routine and this is the make or break point - so, one Friday evening we went out to see if we could run for 20 minutes non-stop and you know what, we did it!  Kind of easily.  And from then on in, you're a runner, sort of.

After completing the 20 minute run you've definitely reached a certain point where you swear less, argue less and just try and let your legs - and lungs - get on with it.  Weeks 6-9 are definitely the easiest - even though technically they are now the hardest as they are the longest runs - but - you now just go out and run and don't get walking breaks.  By now, you get the fact that running is all about putting one leg in front of the other while remembering to breath and accepting that you can keep breathing while running - if you know what I mean.   I did repeat a couple of weeks in this period - either because I'd struggled, or I was poorly, but you just keep going.  I'd say that the key to having a successful C25k plan is to understand that it's not miraculous, you do have to go out 3 times a week, you do have to put the work in, you are going to hate it at times, but it works.  It bloody well works. Getting through this programme involved blood, sweat and tears - and I'd add in copious amounts of snot.  The blood - well, unfortunately in Week 8 I got bit/nipped by a dog.  A very unfortunate incident - I'm still sporting a bruise 10 days later.  But, was it all worth it? You bet - the feeling when you've just completed a run you didn't initially think you'd manage - the high fives between me and Stewart when we both did well, and the knowledge that 3 months ago I cried at trying to run for 60 seconds at a time and now I can run for 30 minutes non-stop - priceless.

ANWAYS, I know this is a very wordy account but we're nearly at the end.  So, dun, dun, duuuuun - the day was approaching where I would be able to do my final, graduation C25k run.  If it hadn't been for repeating some weeks, this would have been 'just another run'.  However, the timing worked out that my final C25k run actually became my first planned 5k fun run - Light Up Cardiff.  Number 35 on my task list.  So Friday evening this week, right at the start of Storm Bloody Brian, I had to get my nervous ass down to Cardiff Bay.

There were a few hundred folk signed up to do it - we were given flashing arm bands, we started from a pub, it was for fun, the weather was bloody atrocious but I had absolutely nothing to lose so I went past the starting line - with Sarah Millican's encouraging voice in my ear - and I ran, and I kept running even while being lashed by torrential rain and wind.  I kept going.  I think it was the thought of getting a shiny medal and getting out of the rain, and the fact I knew I'd planted a celebratory tinnie of Malibu and Pineapple in my sports bag for when I finished - I kept going - one foot in front of the other and keep breathing.   And it worked.   35 minutes in , I crossed the finish line.  HUZZAAAAHH.   I was SO happy.  C25k has been very worth the effort.  I never thought truly, that I had it in me, but I did.  And I'm proud.

 

ONGOING: No. 7: 50k/Miles of Weatherman Walks - No. 3 - Cardiff Bay

 

I'm doing really well with moving on with a lot of ongoing, long term challenges but the one which is furthest behind so far is No.7 - Weatherman Walks: 50 miles of Derek Brockway Welsh hikes.  No particular reason for this, just had other things to do at weekends, particularly now the football season has started again.  So, with Stewart taking a couple of days off work this week I decided to join him today and we agreed we'd go out another Weatherman's Walks.

Today we'd be doing the only urban one of Derek's Weatherman Walking hikes, the Cardiff Bay and Barrage circular hike, 5 miles today, bringing my ongoing total up to 15 miles so far.  Unfortunately, Derek's weathermen colleagues got the forecast for today completely wrong - it peed down the entire time we were out walking and we have ended exceedingly damp and steaming!?  Still, we'd said we do the walk today, we knew which restaurant we wanted to finish up in for tea so off we set trying to ignore the rain and the wind.

The actual start point for the Barrage walk is in Penarth but we decided to ignore that bit and started in the Bay and by point No.9 on the route - Roald Dahl Plass.  For those not from Cardiff this is the central point of the Bay with the Millennium Centre and the Senedd (Welsh Government building) and close to the restaurant area.   As it was a circular walk it was easy to start and end here.  Thankfully, I was able to kill two birds today as I am also currently hunting down Cardiff snow dogs and there were a LOT along this route.

From the central point in the Bay, we walked past all the restaurants, past Ianto's shrine (only really makes sense if you are in to Torchwood - filmed in Cardiff just like Dr Who is)

 

and on past St Davids Hotel, and Techniquest to the start of an area we've never been to before, the Cardiff Wetland Area Reserve.

It was very pretty, though the weather was awful by now, but there were birds about, it felt very peaceful and it did have lovely views across the Bay - well I'm sure they would be lovely on any other day when it wasn't chucking it down but at we tried to use our imaginations.

 

We carried on, heading towards Penarth, walking past the ice rink, the swimming pool and Cardiff Whitewater Rafting centre.  The weather was becoming bloody horrible by now.

Heading from the Wetlands Centre over to Penarth we came across this sculpture, it must have been fairly recent as Derek didn't mention it in his Weatherman Walking route -but then again, there was a lot of new building works we passed which have sprung up since he did his original walk.  Anyway, I've just looked this sculpture up online and it's called A Personal View.  I just liked it because I could take selfies of me and me!

Still, if we wanted to get back to Cardiff Bay train station there was only one way now.  Across the Barrage.   Completely open to the elements - the wind, the peeing down rain and the cold.   Thankfully it either wasn't as bad when we walked the barrage, or, we were so numb and damp that we no longer felt the cold. 

Because of the weather, it almost felt fitting when half way across we came across an exhibit about Captain Scott - there because apparently they set off for the South Pole from Cardiff.  Though by this point the wind had died down, it had stopped raining and we were nearly at the end of the walk in any case.   We got back to the main part of Cardiff Bay, caught the train back to Queen Street and we could go for a meal in Stewart's favourite chain restaurant Café Rouge feeling that we had earned the right to stuff our faces.   It would have been nice to do this walk in decent weather och well, cest la vie.