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!