Running PBs

AJ - my Running Hero and newly crowned 10km Champion

Well first off I have to mention, whilst hopping in complete delight, that AJ OBLITERATED the sub hour 10km PB barrier today and I couldn't be more psyched for her. AJ has been so tantalisingly close to this mammoth milestone on a few occasions recently and today her continual, unfailing and extraordinary perseverance paid off. WAHOO. I shall pretend AJ's AWESOME accomplishment had nothing to do with me not being there to slow her down ;-))

I can only imagine AJ's delight at her new 59.10 min 10km PB. That is if she isn't already sleeping off the celebratory champers! Well done girlie. So, so proud of you.

Inspired as always by AJ and her new PB, I tied up my own laces, slapped some sun cream on my shoulders and off I set....

... 35 minutes later I collapsed on one of the swings at the park near my home (swinging back and forth is a BEST ever cool down for the legs) and rejoiced in covering over 5km. 5km!!!!!!!!!!! My longest run Stateside!!!! OK so I walked bits of it - I got a stitch a couple of times (eating too much at once today - yummy lunchtime burrito! and running too soon after dinner), I also ran into a huge cloud of flies - soooooo gross and FYI: it was still 95 degrees despite being evening (although thankfully the sun wasn't beating down). Plus on the advice of my Texan friend, I abandoned my original proposed local running route and instead ran across the local golf course (freshly mown grass and so lush) so all things considered I couldn't be happier with today's performance.

Longest run in ages. Thanks AJ and CONGRATULATIONS and CELEBRATIONS on your incredible PB - that is going to take some beating! xx

Just a little Easter Wish

I know that technically Easter has been and gone but I got the most lovely bit of Easter cheer today that I couldn't not share. Plus I spied with my little eye that a favourite easter calorific something beginning with 'c' 'e' is still gracing the stores, so Easter cannot officially be over until they are gone.

Check what the "Chieftan of Cool" sent me: Total surprise which I adore. THANK YOU. The Chieftan of Cool is my official mystery Fitblr Buddy and she fits the bill supremely - encouraging, supportive and uber sporty and FIT - from what I can gleam - a race CHAMPION ;-)) - such a great inspiration but the mystery is KILLING me.

As you can see she sends me sweet cards and notes FULL of wisdom - check her last paragragh. I adore the Chieftan of Cool - still living up surpassing her title! Always. xx

CoC's words of wisdom: 

"Remember although cream eggs are fabulous, they are also evil, 

but fear not the season is almost over."

Thank goodness.  Due to my atrocious lack of will power, I have nearly adopted the size and shape of a cream egg due to Easter overindulgences. So much for delighting in happy size 10 Nirvana whilst clothes shopping on Saturday. This was me out hill walking at Hengistbury Head on Easter Sunday - my posture has a lot to answer for - SEXY!! xx

Seconds after this pic was taken - the Killer Ruffian (lying in her kill position) decided to take on the Black Bear in the background, whilst attached to her lead, whilst attached to me.

YeOW.

Plus check out my fab tan lines!! or tide marks as my colleagues were referring to them today ;((

The Hill in the distance - practising for the 180 meter incline during the 60km challenge on the 7th May.

This baby was only 37 meters - but I climbed it twice.

Somehow despite walking for 3 hours to Hengistbury Head and back 

- the Fitbug only registered c.9000 steps :-((

I should have just sunbathed on the beach!!

Working Out with The Gladiators!!

Sometimes it good to mix up your routine.  My Tuesday nights of late have been spent catching up with the Monday night TV -  i.e. Glee/ Gadget Show - that I missed whilst out group training.

Tonight though, all thanks to Sweaty Betty @ King's Road, as part of a select group, I got to work out with The Gladiators -  Enigma and Doom:

Gladiators ready.......Contenders ready.......

Channelling my inner Lucinda and getting the Gladiators to 'gun pose'.

I have no shame plus I am clearly too short to ever be Gladiator material ;-)

Best of all Jenny (of the most enviable curves EVER) and Wayne (the master of Pain ;-)) !!) were completely brilliant and the perfect training duo; Fun, Knowledgable and Easy on the Eyes!!  Plus they proved definitively that working out hardcore styleee even in a a 2 meter x 1 meter space is not only possible, but completely knackering!

Lack of space is no longer a valid excuse folks - I've never built up a sweat so fast - Wayne's 'crazy warm up' just about sums it up!! It was so great to try out some different variations on the classic training moves and LOVED the '10/20 reps to perfect, followed by a 30 seconds blitz to knock out as many reps as possible' routine. I can say that now that I'm sitting down and chillin'!!

Clearly my stretching flexibility needs some A LOT of work. Kitty however is a flexing goddess!

THANKS so much Jenny, Wayne and the girls at Sweaty Betty for making us look and feeling like VIPs.  If you haven't already checked out Sweaty Betty's free Training Sessions and want to get in on the action, check here. I promise you won't regret it. xx

How it went down........HONEST

Well as you may recall, the three best girlies were dispatched with only their considerable wits, female charms ;-) and their "guns" to mark them out from the boys on Saturday - yup Soldier Challenge 2011 was ON!!!!!

First up Jade - never one to mince her words, back down from any challenge or able to resist ANYTHING in leopard print! Grrrr.... Is this why we call her tigger?!

Second up with her "guns" always at the ready - as her fav secret santa yet best pressie ever tee-shirt says - the Lucinda-tron.

And last but by no means least, the mighty PT - she may be small but 'runner-up' is not in her vocab - this lady won BEST individual in the recent National Sweaty Betty Runathon competition by running 10 miles a day for a week if I recall!!

Don't let this pic deceive you  - this was just Jade and PT psyching out the competition - they are actually thinking:

35 markers to check off in 4 hours - 

"Piece of cake. Actually make that two"

So after deciding that they should pace themselves, and that just participating was the most important thing......

Wait, wait.........slipped into science fiction for a second there........this trio's strategy was simple - run, run some more, and CRUSH the competition.

So 15 checkpoints were knocked out... in 2 hours 17 mins and 44 seconds, earning this trio a mammoth score of 325 and placing them 127th out of thousands of teams.... right ;-) and all without recoursing to illegal bikes unlike some teams!! In fact the girls ran over 14km all around London - even despite having to dodge a mammoth protest march which was also snaking it's way around central London.

A well thought out route - these girls packed brains and brawn.

But now to the exciting bit - the CHECKPOINTS - the only one I can actually recall is, unsurprisingly, the food related one!! Cue the hob nob challenge - which by all accounts Lucinda excelled at!!

Then there was the absailing challenge which didn't play to Lucinda's strengths quite so much. If they'd  thrown a hob nob over the side of the Oval it would have been a completely different matter cos Lucinda would have been down like a shot!

PT hasn't even broken into a sweat yet - outrageous!

Yes outrageously I stole these pics - Fortunately Jade doesn't mind.

Also who can forget the getting groped at the Tate challenge - oops otherwise known as getting spun and walking blindfolded into trees....

There was one delight I believe the girls didn't sample - bouncing around in the moat at the Tower of London - Tigger I'm ashamed of you....

However, hands down, the girls did a TERRIFIC job - I certainly couldn't have matched them. Not quite yet anyway. Fortunately there's always next time ;-)

For all their incredible efforts they were awarded their badges of honour....

which were closely followed by MASSIVE VICTORY smiles....

The mighty Team 247. 

Congratulations girls....SO, SO proud/ envious!! of you. The historic/ iconic landmarks of London will never be the same ever again. xx

* This account is the absolute factual eyewitness account of the events of last Saturday as of course I was there, and not slacking off avoiding any and all hardcore exercise 'due to sickness'. Additionally when the girls was recalling their adventures at training on Monday night - I was not dying of oxygen deprivation during another killer Mel plyometric sess and 100% consumed with trying to remember how to breathe and jump simultaneously -  I was, of course, listening attentively, taking it all in and making mental notes so I could give you lovelies the truth, the whole truth and nothing but my version of the truth ;-)) xx

My One Year Blogiversary!!

One year on, nearly 200 posts later, I'm STILL blogging - well it does literally prevent me from overeating (typing, public shame and overeating is an impossible combination!!) but more than that one year on I'm STILL on the fitness track.  Woop-de-doo.

This year has marked so many FIRSTS for me, that in honour of my FIRST blogiversary I compiled a little video as a reminder of all the highs, lows, blood, sweat, tears, agony and laughter.

Now for my Oscar moment, darlings:

My success one year on is the culmination of so many people helping me out, showing me what to do, inspiring me to push myself further and picking me up off the floor when I fail.

There are too many people to thank individually and some are not aware of my little corner of the web, but those that are and have taken the time to read my posts, comment and then have kept coming back for more - be that entertainment or actual physical torment - you are literally beyond brilliant - I wouldn't be sitting here typing this if it wasn't for each and every one of you bundles of gorgeousness and hilarity:

The Hyde Park Crew: Jade, Lucinda, Trish, Louise, Shoshana, Challenge Hannah, Pui-Tien, Emily, Kaye, Gemma, Jen, Vicky, Caitriona - well really just ALLLLLL of you xx

The ladies in the know: Mel, Sarah, Nic, Cat, Dom, the Running School ladies xx

My brave challenge compadres: Each and everyone one of you are in a league of AWESOME all of your own xx

Lastly, the heroes that have run with me despite ALLL my moaning:  AJ, Kaye, Gemma, Lucinda, Jade, Pui-Tien, Shoshana xx

Plus in true Oscar fashion I can't forget to thank the guy who fitted my trainers, my alarm for going off at 5am each morning, the pieces of cake I managed to resist and well, God

This is for you with my sincerest, most heartfelt, fuzzy pink THANKS xx

Sorry for the slightly fuzzy picture quality - it was perfect HD resolution before uploading?? One year on IT sill flummoxes me!

But my Mission doesn't stop here, remembering and seeing what I have achieved in year one has made me even more determined to:

• Get into that gorgeous abs flaunting bikini


• Complete a half-marathon


• Not be such a dork when I dance in public or private ;-))


• Run 10km in 55 mins


• Avoid having to jump out of a plane and win my bet with Challenge Hannah


• Make more costumes and complete more challenges with my awesome friends


• Relocate to a different continent for six months - Cannot WAIT for June!!!!!!!!!!!


• Meet Ben of "Ben does life" fame


• Smile even more 

Bring on Year 2! xx

Call to Action - Girl on a Mission Style!!

Who can resist the prospect of men in uniform? Well hopefully not my amazing training comrades in arms, namely Jade, Trish and Lucinda. I am close to getting the ultimate team signed up for Soldier Challenge here in central London on the 26th March and I am so, SO excited particularly as:

a) Orienteering extreme aficionado Christine (of Nike Gridding fame) has agreed to give us a lesson (over drinks) in the finer points of checkpoints and map reading with a compass (although the brains behind this operation - LL - is already thinking GPS on the iphone is the perfect tool for the job - LOVE IT!!)

b) Have I mentioned recently how fast Lucinda, Trish and Jade actually are - speed of light has nothing on them. Seriously.  I was feeling rather pleased with the team coming together until I realised that - umm - that means I need to keep up with them - but umm that's not even slightly possible - particularly as my lungs are rubbish at the moment as I haven't attempted ANY running for about 4 weeks.

Whilst I am of course planning to get back into run training sharpish - my relief was IMMENSE when I discovered that for Soldier Challenge you CAN take public transport between checkpoints and/or run so long as you keep to the 4 hour time limit - HOW AWESOME IS THAT?? Everyone sign up immediately for this challenge - there's literally NO excuse (well sign up after my teamsters have snagged their places ;-))

c) We will (hopefully) have an experienced Adventurer on the team - I would show you evidence of the torture Trish inflicted on her poor foot and survived to tell the tale during her recent 12 mile Adventure Race, appropriately named - HELL RUN, but really it was quite, quite ghastly - I'm still having nightmares!! At the mo, Trish (fully recovered) is attempting to reschedule her diary commitments to see if she can make it on the 26th March. My fingers and toes are all crossed that she will make it - Trish - I'll even buy you a proper pair of waterproof socks to replace the ones that nearly permanently damaged your footsies or more importantly DRINKS post challenge as a bribe! ;-))

d) Could the list of tasks to be completed during the challenge BE more awesome? - Excerpt:

"The details of the activities will be released on the day but expect a real mix of physical, mental and entertaining activities all with a military twist. You could be faced with all sorts of madness from singing to rope swinging, tackling an assault course or tucking in to some rations, cracking a code or a drill sergeant cracking the training whip, it could literally be anything!  Some activities may involve getting wet so come prepared if you are going to bag them. An indication of what to expect from the activity locations will be provided before you start so you can pick and chose what you wish to do.

Kayaking: There will be some very straightforward kayaking within the event ... Don’t worry if you aren’t the best paddlers but if you can do some kayaking before the event it would help to hone your skills...or just go in a straight line! Bring a spare set of clothes in case you take a dip.

Ropes-based Activities: One of the most unique features of this event will be to not only gain exclusive access to many iconic venues but in some cases to clamber over them with ropes! For each ropes activity there will be ropes for the experienced, as well as ropes for the not so experienced, no one misses out! However previous experience is essential so get yourself to your local climbing wall or book on to one of our refresher sessions at the event weekend."

Wait previous rope experience essential - what the .... ! More importantly why isn't whip cracking experience essential?! Oh well hopefully my naval cadet knot tying attempts from age 16-18 counts - alternatively there is a rope refresher session the evening before the challenge - so I'm guessing a certain someone will be in attendance!!

BUT MOST of ALL, I LOVE THAT I'M WILLING TO GIVE THIS CHALLENGE A BASH, despite it being less than two weeks off and despite not being even close to my best physical condition (I'm assuming I have a peak fitness?!)  - I 100% KNOW that the Jade, LL, and Trish (fingers crossed) will ensure that I 'soldier on', LOSING is NOT AN OPTION - these girls are uber competitive!! BUT I know that friendly competition aside, there will be PLENTY of banter and I am guaranteed to still be laughing at the end no matter what.

There is one thing that would make it even more AWESOME and that is if you all SIGN up too - ChallengeHannah, AJ, Half-Marathon Champs Kaye and Gemma and all my lovely London based blog readers - this means YOU!! xx

Endorphin Overload

I literally have no idea what is going on here - this doesn't resemble any biology I learnt at school?!

Biologists - please explain!

Not sure if it was the three hour workout I did tonight (2 hours of walking = 19470 steps and one circuit class); seeing Lovely Louise back at circuits after too long - I've missed Louise; just being in Challenge Hannah's presence - she is hilarious and F.O.C.U.S.E.D - as demonstrated by her new practise of walking to work and her newest high fashion!! accessory she was modelling tonight; being lapped a ridiculous number of times by Lucinda during circuits who is indecently fast since her Februlous 200km; nearly twisting my ankle running in the dark over a tree stump BUT not twisting my ankle!!; being complimented by Lucinda that I no longer appear to be dragging myself like I'm in SERIOUS pain when I attempt to run!! OR was it finding out about a new 10km Race for Life from - ummm loveliest individual whose name escapes my non existent memory (to be inserted later)?

Add to that finding out that Gemma and Kaye didn't just complete their 1/2 marathons - they ACED it: 2 hours 13 mins and 2 hours 3 mins - I salute you both. (For Gemma's account of the race in her own words - check here) All that, AND my abs got a beasting - and they certainly need it!! Thanks TTST Mel.

All in all today has been a GREAT day. Bring on tomorrow and more training!

My name is Girl on a Mission and I am an endorphin addict!! xx

I believe....

I also BELIEVE that my awesome training buddies and Janathon compadres Kaye and Gemma will R.O.C.K their first ever 1/2 Marathon in Paris this weekend. Boy, do they deserve it, after all the immense and relentless training they have done over the past freezing months. These Incredibles even practised covering the full 1/2 marathon distance a few weeks ago (I was clearly not in attendance that day - that much is self-evident!!)

Bonne Chance, Mesdemoiselles Magnifique, courir comme le vent.

Je crois en toi xx

A Valentine Threesome Special

OK - To borrow a sentiment from Kaye - pesky real life has just now been shoved back in it's box leaving me free to turn my attention back to sharing my woop-de-doo most exciting best fabulous blog news ever. So hope you're sitting comfortably and that I have your undivided attention, as it's a VERY SPECIAL THREESOME VALENTINE post today!! Minds out of the gutter peeps - there's nothing of that nature going on here - rather I have three UBERimportant things to share with you:

1. I received an amazing VALENTINE's surprise 
2. I received another LOVEly surprise - Could I be ANY luckier right now?!  
And as it's better to give than to receive:
3. I also have a special VALENTINE's gift for you all xx

Well here goes....

1. I LOVEheart MY ADORABLE FITBLR BUDDY:
I arrived home yesterday post the 10km LOVE RUN to discover a little package waiting from me - I LOVE receiving packages in the post.  Bills, bank statement and official correspondence never come in a package so I've NEVER received a package I didn't like ;-)

This one was a particularly special package as it was perfectly timed to coinside with Saturday's LOVEheart Run and proved to be the MOST PERFECTLY BRILLIANT post-LOVErun goody bag especially as I was still on a massive high jumping around the flat in my LOVEheart costume. Seriously! The surprise was even greater as I was totally caught off guard by who'd sent it as I'd recently received a fabby postcard from this lovely individual and I was so delighted to get my lovely postcard that I wasn't even slightly expecting anything.  Plus Valentine's is the HARDEST time of year for a diehard singleton so getting this wonderful package of LOVE - literally, has made my Valentine's. I feel like I can hold my head high tomorrow regaling everyone with my FIRST EVER AND MOST PERFECT VALENTINE SURPRISE story. Yay - for once VALENTINE's DAY is actually going to be fun!!

To you, my AWESOME Fitblr Buddy - I salute you. THANK YOU from the bottom of my LOVEheart:

I still have the biggest smile on my face. 

No mean feat after the stressful weekend (LOVErun aside) I've had!

Fluffy hearts are literally my favourite/only non-chocolate sweet of choice - you clearly have special powers.

If you want to see exactly what I was fortunate enough to receive from my AWESOME Fitblr Buddy- you'll need to head over to the Fitblr Buddy blog where I've posted all the details of my PERFECT VALENTINE SURPRISE.

Fitblr buddy - or "Supreme Chieftan of Cool" as I now think of you in my head.  SERIOUSLY YOU ROCK!! xx

Hope you have an equally subliminal VALENTINE's Day 

<3 Protege of the Chieftan of Cool xx

p.s. I adore track no 9 on my compilation - but I've never heard it before - who or what is it? 

p.p.s. In my head I have a sneaky suspicion that I already know you - or perhaps you are so AWESOME that you are somebody I just categorically must make it my job to get to know come what may. 

2. The Day I was Presented a Race Prize - HONEST!!:

This is a really, really special, never-to-be-forgotten moment for me as slow runners categorically NEVER win race prizes, but you know what - yesterday I proved that theory wrong. Our LOVEheart group was awarded a generous prize by the Duchenne Action organisers for our, of course, totally incognito LOVEheart costumes and general all-round suave whilst running!!!  I really wish I could actually tell you what was said but I literally had just run over the finish line when this presentation kicked off and I was desperately trying to locate and open a drink! For once I didn't mind the adverse law of slowcoaches that if you're slow you get less/no recovery time despite actually requiring more recovery time because you are not so fit i.e. slow!! Before I knew it I was joining my fellow ranks of LOVEhearts and was nominated to go up and collect the prize.  I should confess up front that I basically demanded a WINNER's KISS too - well it's for charity, it's Valentine's and this singleton doesn't get to pucker up often!! See for yourself  - I have no shame - Poor Man was basically cornered. God I hope I didn't embarrass him too much.

Slow coach crosses the finish line - totally unsuspecting of what's about to happen despite lovely Christine and Vanessa running back and completing the last leg with me. Admittedly they did try to warn me, mentioning a "presentation".  In hindsight it all makes so much sense - at the time I thought you'd both lost the plot and were discussing a work project!

Seconds later voila - yours truly is awarded a Running associated Prize on behalf of the team - What are the odds? 

This must be how Gold Medal Olympiads feel.

Most important moment of my life - Going in for the WINNER's KISS xxx

What the race was ALL ABOUT - raising money and awareness for Duchenne's Action and having fun doing it

p.s. can you tell my knees have seized up?

Plus here are the other ALL-IMPORTANT race highlights I promised you:

This photo captures the moment after  Megan managed to put on and fix her costume in place AS SHE WAS RUNNING. Megan I have no idea how you did it - a Champion

The SPEED DEMONS - Vix and Vanessa - Bit of friendly competition going on there I see!!

I want Vix to teach me to FLY RUN - how does she do it it's amazing - both feet off the ground at once.

118 118 Ellie leading the pack and seriously out in front - Go Ellie!!

Then again, CJ is also out running the competition - check this:

Check this - Christine is leading the pack here too. AWESOME work.

Mustn't forget this trio:

The Stud Muffin is finding his groove - Muffin by name, Muffin by Nature!!

Lucinda looking effortlessly gorgeous and happy AS USUAL

AND MEL in her NEW HOT PINK - I WANT A MATCHING PAIR OF - TRAINERS - Mel says she hates running but I'm not so sure - regardless she makes it look a breeze!!

A SPECIAL THANKS FOR THESE PHOTOS TO TIM, THE LOVELIEST LOVEHEART PHOTOGRAPHER IMAGINABLE, not to mention Christine's Hubbie. A big thank you Tim for these photographic gems.

But onto the finale of the LONGEST post ever - but I promise you the wait and your dedication has been worth it.

3. MY VALENTINE's GIFT TO YOU:

Jenni and Matthew - the Happy Couple

One of my secret favourite blog crushes is Story of My Life and is written by one half of the seriously most drop dead phoar hot couple on the planet. Honest to god they could pass for A list celebs no probs. I spend most of my time just staring at the photos!! They may be hurt my eyes gorgeous BUT I forgive them as they are such a sweet couple.  As a special Valentine's treat, Jenni recounted the story of how they met in a four part special - I have loved reading every word of this story but I'm glad it was in four parts as I would have suffered LOVE jealously OVERLOAD otherwise.  This is a MUST READ LOVE STORY for anyone who's not yet found the one or is feeling jaded by love or just cannot ever believe it will happen to them - Umm Me, Me, Me.

Jenni is a stickler for correctness and is adamant that you read their story in it's rightful order - so here you are - all indexed and ready for you: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3{MY FAV} and Part 4

Thanks Jenni for sharing your beautiful love story - I totally fell in love with being in love - just what I needed for V-Day. Hope you enjoy Jenni's story as much as I did.

Plus a little bonus pressie from one of my other FAVOURITE LOVE-AFFIRMING BLOGS which always makes me happy when nothing much else does is Fairy Tales are True. But it's this particular moment - heartily appropriate for V-Day that as Sarah promises, and I heartily concur will leave you SPEECHLESS. 

Wishing you all a very enchanting V-Day of your own xx

LOVEheart {ATTACK} Run - Running on PURE ADRENALINE

Today has been way BEYOND exciting/ a good lesson for me in how NOT to prepare for a race - I NEVER want to repeat the following pre-race experience EVER again:

Today was the long awaited Duchenne Action's 10km LOVE Run and it's a complete miracle I'm able to tell you about it, to be honest, as the race was scheduled to kick off at 11am and I was still asleep in my bed, on the other side of London at 10.10am, having slept through my 7am alarm.

Major %*$ x a billion.

I still thanking ALL THE GODS in the universe that Megan called me at 10.10am to tell me she had arrived as it was her blessed call that woke me.  Thank you x a trillion Megan but IF there is a next time PLEASE SOMEBODY call me 30 mins earlier JUST IN CASE!!!

Seriously I got up and out of bed, had a panic attack, grabbed all my belongings, took my medication, flew around the living room to collect LOVEheart costumes, robbed a cash machine and jumped in a taxi in a record 3 minutes.  When the cabbie told me it was at least a twenty-five minute ride to Finsbury park - I firmly told him he had 20 mins MAX and starting changing/ making SOS calls to the LOVEheart Runners who, being highly responsible, functioning adults UNLIKE me, were all there ready and waiting for me to give them their COSTUMES.

Fortunately my cabbie was clearly an ex Grand Prix Racer  - flying over traffic queues and magically changing red lights to green so I arrived at our meeting place about quarter to 11. THANK YOU Travel Gods and the best cabbie in London.  After a quick change into LOVEheart costumes, depositing bags and power walking/ taking photos of the LOVE Runners in their awesome costumes on my way to the start line and getting everyone all ready queued up to run SIMULTANEOUSLY - we were in position JUST in time for the starting gun. I actually can't remember now if it was a gun - I just remember commencing running seconds after/ as this photo was being taken!!!

LOVEhearted UP AND in no need for a warm up

 - BPs were already RACING

Not quite the full LOVEheart team as Megan and Mel were still depositing our bag - THANK you guys.

No joke we were SERIOUSLY LAST to get in position - see there's NO-ONE BEHIND us.

Rather we were behind all these guys who had been ready for AGES!! and were inpatient to get started .......

Fortunately blogging isn't a timed race so let me introduce the LOVEhearts properly.........

Cutest Engaged Couple EVER - Mrs Cat and Mr James ..... check out this LOVED UP BRIDE and GROOM-to-be in their matching costumes - heartsies xx:

Grr.. I'm a Forces Man in Marabou fluff surrounded by more pink fluff and hearts...grr

Half Marathon Training Kaye of ksweeswee blog fame was also wearing her heart on her sleeve back:

Kaye here alongside her Paris Half Marathon compadriate and currently erstwhile ;-)) blogger Jungle Gemma - GG I miss your hilarious posts - come back to blogland.

Fortunately Kaye's love for her man (they make a STUNNINGLY gorgeous couple FYI) is only rivalled by her love for.......

CAKE!!!

True action shot - me power walking backwards - Gemma and Kaye walking towards me. Result = fuzziness. Sorry girls for my photography ineptitude.

Another beyond cute couple-to-be if I had my matchmaking ways ;-))) ....

Stud Muffins and Love Bugs are destined to be together - FACT. xx

Lucinda will absolutely, POSITIVELY kill me for this - but as you've already read I'm a girl who lives on the edge. 

It has been really nice knowing you all. Thanks for stopping by.

Plus I definitely caught some incognito "checking you out" action on camera:

 Argh - now due for a VERY PAINFUL, as well as UNTIMELY demise.

Swiftly moving on...to a LOVEheart with LOVEitude:

Marathon Training Vanessa doesn't stand for any nonsense when it comes to matters of the heart OR running for that matter.. This incredible athlete crossed the finish line in 51 mins  - we were neck and neck for about 10 seconds although to be fair I was only completing my 3rd lap as Vanessa was finishing!!

Christine displaying a message to her valentine - Mr Christine aka Tim our race photographer. BUT I think she also had her eye on the prize, as she ran a PB today - 57 mins - CHECK CHRISTINE!!

Also peaking out the corner of this photo in her ravishing purple LOVEheart is the AMAZING JO or AJ, as I call her, in her "Hug Me' costume:

Quick summary list of JO's AMAZINGNESS:

1. Jo ensured I got the five remaining LOVEheart costumes completed and didn't go glitter crazy last night after an uber stressful day. People you have Jo to thank for these fab design creations.

2. Jo always comes supplied with chocolate in emergency situations.

3. Jo cut a staggering 9 WHOLE MINUTES off her 10km PB today - completing the race in a STAGGERING 1 hour 1 min alongside her HUG ME Twin - Marvellous Marathon Training Megan - whose 10km race today was just a warm up for the incredible 17.5mile training run she has planned tomorrow!! Megan you astound me with your incredible running enthusiasm.

4. Jo is NEVER late for anything and would NEVER oversleep.

5. Jo allowed a drunken man to HUG HER in her HUG ME costume - wish I'd got that on camera!! 

6. Jo is ALWAYS AMAZING. ALWAYS.

Conscious that you've not met everyone yet as my photos are sadly incomplete I MUST mention:

1. Mel in her ironic I LOVE RUNNING costume - Awesome.

2. Vix in her CHASE ME costume - Seriously I don't advise chasing this girl as she is INCREDIBLY FAST and pixie LIGHT on her feet and is often used to pace runners in races

3. Ellie in her adorable 118 118 costume.

Then there's me, the latecomer to the show/ running imposter:

CHECK OUT my HOT PINK LEGWARMERS - a SURPRISE PRESSIE from one of my VERY select blog subscribers (Can you imagine getting a daily dose of ME straight to your inbox!?!) not to mention, the sweetest, KINDEST friend I was fortunate to make at University - Miss S - I LOVE THESE SO MUCH - THANKS for making my LOVEheart costume EXTRA "SPECIAL" xx

Whilst my unadulterated love for SUGAR is no secret - my LOVEheart costume actually says:

Costume Closeup courtesy of Lucinda

Surprisingly, of all my LOVEheart costume elements, it was my homemade LOVEheart head band that caused the most stir and received the most compliments from the other Duchenne Runners that I encountered during the race:

Hairband Closeup

But enough costume distractions, time for the nitty gritty: Personally speaking, my running today was S.H.O.C.K.I.N.G and had it not been for the other LOVEhearts and my generous friends who has sponsored me for such a worthy cause to complete this race, I would have pulled out half way through lap one of four due to knee issues, the number of hills on the course, desperately needing a toilet break and having not drunk ANY fluid since I woke up 50 mins previously as well as just feeling exhausted from all the adrenaline rushes of the previous hour. But I crawled my way round - running, walking and praying I'd make the distance. 

I was lapped OFTEN but it was great having amazing team mates wave, cheer and grab me on their much faster progress round the course, past me.  Running alongside Vanessa as she was finishing was a TOTAL race highlight for me, that and the lady who shouted out at me on the hill of the final lap that I MUSTN'T STOP as I WAS THE REASON SHE WAS STILL RUNNING - UBER SLOW ME in my SUGAR LIPS LOVEheart costume. 

It was the NICEST THING ANYONE'S EVER SAID TO ME DURING A RACE - totally made me well up in appreciation. (I was a women on the edge all day today.)

Relieved to be over the finish line and in one piece.

The LOVEhearts are a speedy bunch, splitting roughly into three uber speedy categories (apologies in advance if I've put anyone in the wrong category).

• +/- 51 mins - Vanessa, Vix, The Groom and ?Mel


• +/- 57 mins - Christine, Kaye, Gemma, Lucinda, Ross, ?Ellie


• 1 hour 1 min - AJ, Megan

FYI - Today's 10km meant Lucinda completed 100km!!! as part of her FEBRULOUS challenge. Someone else who also became a CENTURION KILOMETER RUNNER today, 12 days into the challenge, albeit a MUCH slower one was ME!!!!!!!:

Admittedly I am disappointed with my race performance - not the time so much but rather ALL my walking breaks and my lacklustre knees. But I think the disappointment I'm feeling is due more to the aftermath of the adrenaline highs and coming down from the SUPERexcitement of the day so I will sign off here.

BUT it doesn't really stop here - Please check back tomorrow for LOVErun: THE FULL DISCLOSURE for some extra special LOVEheart race highlights you really don't want to miss, BRILLIANT race footage AND the LOWDOWN of a VERY SPECIAL SURPRISE WAITING FOR ME ON MY RETURN HOME FROM THE RACE. 

ALL my LOVEheart,

From Slowest Centurion Runner on the Planet (ok, ok not officially running terminology but it should be) xx