Hello! It’s been a very busy week again! I did have two days off work but they were filled to the brim too so I’ll have to do another recap type post. I promise to try harder next week!

Wednesday Night Club Run

In honour of the impending spookiness of Halloween I decided to make the most of the Swanage street names and came up with ‘The Cauld(r)on Run” – 5 miles, a few hills, 1 Cauldron Barn Rd, 1 Cauldron Barn Crescent and 1 Cauldon Rd (ahem…used a little artistic license there!). It was pouring just before we set off but stopped quite soon afterwards. It was as really warm and still night though so we were soon all running with waterproofs tied round our waists!  I thought we’d got away it but then a mile from home the heavens opened again and it was torrential. Hey ho…wet Purbeck Runners all round!

Thursday

I had a lovely day off work so inevitably Elliburt was awake at the crack of dawn (I don’t know why I am surprised, he is every day!) so we got up, had breakfast and then did a bit of Davina (he’s been doing it with me for years but still has absolutely no co-ordination and his crunches have to be seen to be believed!)

After that we headed off to the cinema, the plan was to book a film, go eat lunch, then go and watch the film. However, we chose The Three Musketeers which was just starting so no time for lunch first. Unfortunately this meant that rather too much popcorn was consumed..followed by some giant buttons when Elliot and Grace started getting fidgety and complaining of being hungry! However, the film was really good. A proper swashbuckler with lots of humour and James Corden was very funny. I thoroughly recommend it if you like a bit of light relief.

Friday

On Friday morning I took the kids to Poole for haircuts (school holiday must do!) and Elliot picked up a very cool new trilby.

Here he is doing his best to look like a street dancer!

We rushed back from Poole so that I could change and head out for a long run with Paula. I needed to get my long run in on Friday as I was going away for a girlie night on Saturday.

I met Paula in the ferry carpark at Studland. The sun was blazing and it was actually really warm (a total contrast from the day before), we just missed the ferry, despite running for it! Luckily it was so warm we didn’t mind having to wait too much.

Paula is training for a 100 mile endurance next March so she was on day 2 of back to back long runs. She’d done 18 miles the day before so warned me she might be a bit slow but she either she lied or our ideas of slow are a bit different! We had decided to run 6 miles along the prom and then turn round and run back. It couldn’t have been a nicer day for it. We’d both set off with long sleeves but these soon came off. 

I was really pleased that I’d put so much water in my Camelbak as I certainly needed it.

The beach was really busy, being half term there were lots of families about and even some hardened beach hut owners sunbathing in their swimming togs! Not bad for nearly November.

We ran past Bournemouth Pier, on past Boscombe pier and nearly to Southbourne. That was the 6 mile mark so we turned around and ran back again! I can’t believe the distances that Paula can cover now. She did start feeling quite tired in the last mile or so but then so did I and I hadn’t run 18 miles the day before.

Saturday

was treat day for me! Some friends and I had picked up a groupon offer for staying at a spa hotel in Southampton. We got there just after lunch, had a quick drink, made good use of the pool, jacuzzi and sauna and then back to the room for a pre dinner drink!

We had a blast, a night of lots of laughs and lots of nattering. Just what I needed (although I probably didn’t need my first experience of Jagerbombs……)

What was even better was that I didn’t even have a hangover (although I probably did deserve to!) The clock change was very handy too as it meant an extra hour before we had to check out. I was in the pool by 8.30am and managed to do about 100 lengths (only a small pool but that took me about 30 mins), earning myself enough exercise calories for a cooked breakfast of poached eggs, bacon, tomato and mushroom….mmmmmmmm. I wish I could master poached eggs, I do cook them but they are never so pretty as you get in a hotel!

I got home just in time to go to my Brother in Laws Halloween birthday party with Mike and the kids. I can tell you I was pretty worn out by bedtime on Sunday!

I must say that I was pretty impressed with my groupon deal. Anyone else had any great groupon bargains?

Rosexx