Marathon training - week 1

Well I'm going to do it! Sign up for, train for, and run a marathon! Why not, eh?

I'm doing this for a few reasons - after saying for years I would run a marathon, so here goes. 

1 - I can. Working from home allows me some flexibility so when the training runs get long, I can see a way to do a 3.5hour training run

2 - I want to do something big! I've noticed Pip struggling at times to control her world...or parts of it. While she reacts with (massive, earth shaking) tantrums, I'm hoping to avoid this. She's 3.5. I don't have this excuse. 

3 - I want to commit to something. And follow through. 

4 - I want to meet people! And that is going to happen through running by...wait for it...joining a running club which I started tonight!

I'm going to follow a plan (work in progress) and train with a group - Stowmarket Striders - but I'll be on my own for a few weeks in Sydney. I leave England on Saturday for three weeks work. Back on June 7. 

More to come on this with weekly updates on progress to the plan. 

Yay me! I can do this!

Malteasers, Kit Kats and rainbow checkers - cake -tick!

When Pip has had her three birthdays I have made some pretty awesome cakes (if I do say so myself). 

First year was a beautiful rainbow cake under a white icing layer. 

Second was a coloured inside cake pop cake. 

Mid year we had the heart christening cake...

And third was a Gaston the ladybird cake with Ben and Holly on top!

So when it came to my 40th birthday, I bought it was time for me to make a fancy cake for myself!

Mum and I were chatting about the kind of cake and some words popped up repeatedly - malteasers and colour. But classy. Mmmm how's that going to work? 

We ended up deciding on a classy outside with a colourful inside - and it worked out a treat! 

Malteasers, Kit Kats, layers of coloured cake.... Easy peasy! 

Ping me for instructions!!! 

Fabulous at 40... Same same!

Turns out I decided that I was already fabulous and wanted to enjoy my food no social occasions without worrying about calories. And I did.

I turned 40 last week and had a ball. Starting with a family holiday party in Ireland - 2 grandparents, 10 parents and 9 grandchildren plus my "almost a brother" cousin were all in attendance at my parents home for a fabulous get together.

There was a malteaser/kit kat / rainbow /checkered cake (a whole seperate post). There was wine, beer, gin and more. There was a bbq extravaganza. There was rain and shine - in true Irish weather style. Mostly there was a lot of laughs from everyone.

Mr T was there for a couple of days (Pip and I were there for nearly a week).

All in all I felt a lot of love.

And the presents - oh I'm a lucky girl. My brothers and wives bought me a beatiful Thomas Sabo necklace and mum and dad a ring to match.

Mr T and Pip bought be a push bike!!!!! With a child seat so I can drop Pip to daycare and go from rides to the local duck pond.

We finished off my actual birthday with dinner at Wagamama and more cake.



Lucky 40 year old me.

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