I wish every run could end with...

My aim of the game today was to have a really positive day. I wish every run could end with picking up your River Island shoe delivery from the post office. 

I would take a photo of my new boots but I can't put them on because I've still not had a shower even though my run was 4 hours ago...

Today was a really good day and just what I needed. A productive day all round with a new job applied for, a new shirt, new shoes, and this:

I have no idea why I have never tried a spiced pumpkin latte before. I made it my mission to have one this year and they finally launched this week. It took about 3 seconds to convert me, I think this will be my drink now until the sun comes back out. I thought I thoroughly deserved an egg sandwich too to contribute to my positive day today. Egg sandwiches always make me happy. 

After work I tackled a 5.5km run. It went really well because I found a new route and had plenty on my mind, which both made the run go more quickly than usual. My shin was playing up a little so I clicked off my runkeeper and decided that I would not concentrate on my pace or time and just run for fun. This is the furthest I have run in a while and even though it wasn't my fastest, I felt it was pretty strong all throughout, made better by some old gentlemen walking their dogs and telling me to keep it up and they would join me if they were 40 years younger. 

1/4 Friday 5.50km / 34:32 / 6:17min per km av pace

I'm looking forward to the rest of the plan and hopefully it won't be too long before I move up to 6.0km, I'm actually feeling very positive at the moment about getting into longer runs, although I'm 100% certain I may feel differently when it starts to rain again ;) good job I still have my gym membership as I think the treadmill will come in handy soon. 

I had a great cool down after my run by walking another 2km around the village to visit my friend and pick up my package. I love walking through the village at night when it's peaceful and the exercise endorphins are still running high. 

Tomorrow morning DC and I are going to drive to a reservoir near to us to have a run there. It will be a great change of scenery and I was told at work today that it's a 1.8 mile loop, so twice round should see me through. Then we can go for breakfast yum. Sunday I am planning to get to the swimming baths for 9am and cross my fingers it's not too busy. Get me having set plans to exercise, that must mean I actually enjoy it after all;)

I think I succeeded in making today as positive as it could be. Food, clothes and exercise... What more do you need?

Dans x

Run like there's someone chasing you, the best lunch hour & the big weekend

Today so far has been a mixed bag:

Woke up late (expected)

Still felt absolutely terrible (expected)

Great day at work (unexpected)

Fabulous lunch break (unexpected)

Didn't feel like running (expected)

Best run of my life (unexpected)

Let's start with the run. I love surprising myself by having an absolutely fantastic run. Today I was running like someone was chasing me, and I even tried to slow myself down after worrying that my chances of a heart attack were rapidly increasing but my legs had their own game plan that was different to my head. 

There's no better feeling for me than a <30 min 5km run. I wish I could pinpoint the exact time that I hit 5km but I was concentrating on finishing the last 20 seconds or so without either being sick or fainting and falling into the road. 

30 minutes 

1/8 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/8 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/8 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

4/8 Monday: 4.73km, 6:21min/km av pace

5/8 Saturday: 4.74km, 6:20min/km av pace

6/8 Tuesday: 4.64km, 6:28min/km av pace

7/7 Friday: 5.06km, 5:57min/km av pace

Not bad at all for a run I could have easily slacked off until tomorrow morning. 

I went out into town at lunch with my friend and we had such a great lunch break. There is a strict criteria for a lunch break to officially be classed as great in my opinion:

1. It doesn't rain

2. It involves retail therapy

3. It involves food

4. It involves freebies

5. It involves friends (this should come first) 

Today's lunch hour hit the spot. 

1. It didn't rain. 

2. I bought this gorgeous dress from Henry Holland to get me through my Autumn nights out and it had 25% off. The cost per wear on this £26 frock is going to be excellent. And I feel GOOD in it. 

Apologies for the worst outfit photo ever but I don't have a great mirror or any friends to take my photo right now. 

3. This mysterious bag and cup contain the best things you can ever buy from Costa coffee - a tiffin cake and a Terry's chocolate orange mocca latte. 

No this did not help me on my run but it was an amazing idea at 1pm. 

4. For the next couple of weeks you can get a free hand cream from the Body Shop with a Voucher Codes code. No purchase necessary. 

Yes my work desk does need a good scrub. 

5. My friend C is actually the best. 

SO. TOMORROW. THE BIG DAY. 

it's our friend's wedding that we have been waiting for only since the beginning of time. I can't wait to see the bride and groom, can't wait to spend the day with my wedding date - the other best man's girlfriend, and I CAN'T WAIT to hear DC's speech. I know he is going to be fantastic. He has practised and practised and it's so funny so fingers crossed I'm not the only one that's laughing. I will secretly try and get a recording in so I can show everyone how fantastically great he is. 

I think this will be my outfit:

A second apology there for the rubbish photo. 

So DC is with the groom and best man tonight and I am home alone but do not fear, I have my favourite m&s dinner:

I also have this to tuck in to:

I promise the spoon was only put there for the photo opp and there's only a 99% chance that I may devour the whole lot. 

NOT TO MENTION I'm not even lonely tonight because I am spending the evening with my second boyfriend:

Watching Joaquin Phoenix in The Master. 

So I am sorted. After I do two loads of washing, the washing up, and a bit of a kitchen clean. There is a 110% chance I won't get round to this. 

Dans x

The perfect run & other stories

I just ran the perfect run. I thought it would take me WEEKS to get back to a 30 minute 5km. I wasn't even feeling this run today. I have no idea what got into me but whatever it is I want to keep it! 

I can't believe I went below a 6min average km. I must have really gone for it! I was actually groaning out loud by the end. And praying for the last 3 minutes to go quickly. I was so surprised because my shin didn't give me any bother at all (it's hurting now though). I ran up to the next village and round the block, did another half block before coming back but I estimated it short so had to do 30 seconds on the trail too. I was tempted to follow my running idol and lay down on the floor afterwards but I wasn't quite brave enough; I limped home instead. 

I think this is what is called negative splits ;) FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. 

Week 3 - 30 minutes 

1/4 Monday: 4.66km, 6:27min/km av pace

2/4 Wednesday: 4.67km, 6:26min/km av pace

3/4 Friday: 5.09km, 5:54min/km av pace

I can't wait to see how tomorrow's run is going to go, as right now my legs do not want to move one single bit :)

In other news:

Grandad's doing much better after overloading on oxygen at the hospital, which has made him look and feel a million times better. The docs wanted to keep an eye on him today though and the hospital doesn't discharge at the weekend, which means he will be there until Monday at least. I was a bit concerned about nana being at home by herself (she has early onset dementia) but she says she is absolutely fine and says the best thing is wrapping herself in bedcovers and not having grandad steal them ;) 

I am clearly the favourite grandchild as I turn up to the hospital with cake ;) well my colleague and I demolished the coconut raspberry slices on the right but I took the lemon tarts along for nana and grandad and it made them very happy. Although my absolute favourite is lemon curd tarts so they were lucky to get their hands on them! The best thing about the cakes is that they are homemade from a stall from a farmers market that comes into town every month. My friend Luke & I try and get a lunch break together each month to go together, and I love our catch up as even though we don't see each other enough (and we are even in the same building every day) he is a very dear friend to me. 

I found a new favourite drink today. This elderflower and lime spring water is yum and only 7 calories. I love elderflower drinks lately, I need to get my hands on some for my friend's dinner party tomorrow as I'm going to drive instead of drink. 

I bought this jacket today with my birthday vouchers. I have had my eye on it for so long, I have no idea why I didn't buy it before as I love it. My friend Laura has it but I'm sure she won't mind as we along with DC's sister always seem to get our hands on the same Topshop clothes, even with all of the million items that are available. We must be both a) telepathic and b) obviously have excellent taste. 

I was going to buy it in store but the queue was too long so I bought it online, using a 10% off code, free delivery, and my gift cards which means this £58 jacket cost me £7. This made my day. Although I do have to wait for it to be delivered, as I've promised myself I will stop paying £7.50 for next day delivery. 

Today was apparently the end of summer (the rain proved it) and Autumn is my favourite time of year, mainly because of the weather (I think Autumn is romantic and DC laughs in my face) but mostly because of creating a new Autumn Topshop wardrobe of course!

I tried this on too and it looks great in the photo but less flattering in real life. I couldn't justify paying £48 (!!) for it so it went back on the rail. 

DC's jeans were a bit tight today when they came out of the wash so he did a lunge in them and this is what happened. I sooooo wish I was there to see this but I was running, he is really upset because they're his favourite jeans and jeans are sooo expensive these days, but the thought of lunge + rip made me laugh for ages. 

He has gone out with work tonight and I think I drew the short straw because his friend's gf has picked them all up to take them into town, but I am doing the pick up run.... At 1am. I've done this quite a few times but the last 2 times I picked DC up from town he really messed me around so I've told him in no uncertain terms that if he doesn't turn up where he says he will at 1am then we will fall out forever and ever. 

So I'm just about to cook some marinated chicken and roasted veg, then I'm going to put something on from Lovefilm and settle down with my favourite popcorn. A nice quiet night all to myself to end a busy week... Perfect. 

Dans x

The only way you can wear a dress every day...

Is to go on holiday! Here's my holiday summer style:

2012 Miss Selfridge playsuit

2013 Topshop dress

2013 River Island tunic / Primark denim

2012 Zara dress

2013 H&M playsuit

2010 Topshop playsuit

2013 New Look top / Topshop shorts & sunnies, New Look headband, Tesco beach bag

2011 Miss Selfridge playsuit

 

Dans x

Pick of the week #7

1. Conscious collection print blouse - £9.99 H&M
I bought this blouse during my lunch break last week and I'm in love with it, it's so flattering and fits perfectly. The only problem was that I left it at work, so I couldn't wear it over the weekend!

2. Pineapple bikini - £32.00 Topshop
I'm really hoping for a summer holiday this year, and if we book one then I'm right down to Topshop to pick up this patterned bikini.

3. Turquoise tote bag - £39.00 Accessorize
This bag turned my head when I walked past Accessorize on my lunch break last week, and I couldn't resist but to go inside and fawn over it for ten minutes. Definitely on my wish list for this summer.

4. Ciate paint pot in Pocket Money - free with Marie Claire
I've been on the lookout for this for the past week because every shop I had to only had the gold shimmer pot available. I love this shade; it's very similar to the Boujoir So Laque in Beige Glamour, which is my ultimate fave nail polish.

5. Tribal print sun top - £26.00 Topshop
I'm definitely in love with prints lately and this suntop, new in this week at Topshop, is at the top of my list for a payday pay out.

Dans