This is in some ways the hardest post I’ve ever written but in other ways the easiest too. Any eagle-eyed followers will have noticed some subtle, yet huge changes in my social media bios and ‘About Me’ pages. All I have done is take out two letters but in doing so I have changed the direction of my life. What are those two letters? G and P.
I have big plans for my blog for 2018. I enjoy creating and writing posts and I want to use this amazing opportunity to help keep us all motivated to move. Whether it be an educational post, an interview with an inspiring person, a kit review or a personal anecdote, it’s wonderful to see the power of the written word. Comments and feedback, here on the blog or on social media, re-inforce to me that I should keep going – even when it’s hard to cram in the hours it takes to keep a blog running!
Looking back, I can’t quite believe all that has happened to me in 2017, it’s been a roller coaster, whirlwind, crazy year! One I will certainly never forget. I’m so aware that it’s only been that way because of the amazing support, encouragement and championing from all of YOU, so I wanted to say a huge thank you … from the bottom of my heart.
I love this interview with Jenny, it’s packed full of inspiration. From body image concerns to fitting exercise into her busy day. From learning to guide a visually impaired runner to being a role model for her patients. Her stories of breast cancer, depression and odd shaped bottoms will have you reaching for your parkrun barcode. I’m super grateful to her for sharing her life so we can all benefit from her wisdom and enthusiasm. A true #ActiveWoman.
It was actually a blog that Leigh wrote that gave me the idea to start this interview series. She’d posted a photo of her pink boxing gloves and explained how becoming active and punching stuff was helping her to improve her wellbeing and cope with all that life had thrown at her (and that’s more than most of us have had to deal with). To me she was a shining example of how finding the activity that suits you is crucial and how the benefits are huge. I love the way she has gone on to inspire others by posting lots of her exercise sessions online. Do pop over to her blog to have a look, especially if you’re lacking in motivation. Boy, she works hard! Tell us a bit about yourself Leigh I’m a communications professional, writer, wellbeing coach, and patient leader. In 2014 at just 24 weeks’ pregnant I was diagnosed with the rare, life-threatening pregnancy complication HELLP syndrome. Unless the baby is born, both mum and baby will die. Sadly, my son …
On Friday I headed down to the big smoke for The Running Awards. I was kindly invited by Strava to join other bloggers for a run followed by a Q and A session and a balcony seat for the awards at the O2. I left London with a goody bag, loads of selfies and really sore feet and I didn’t even run the marathon!
Happy Birthday to my blog, it turns one today (14th of February)! I have to admit I had no idea what a blog really was when I started out. I just knew I wanted to write and create my own little space that others might find useful, entertaining and motivating.
I’m keen on self-reflection. I wrote a diary for years as a child and I dip in again from time to time now. I find it very therapeutic and I just LOVE reading it back. It helps me to be grateful for all I have and to set targets for the year ahead. It’s amazing how much you forget, even in the space of a year. I guess blogging and vlogging kind of replaces a diary in some ways but I’ll still be making my yearly entry looking back on the year I’ve had and making plans for 2016.
I usually avoid anything that looks remotely like a chain letter. I spent many wasted hours writing those in my youth; I’m still waiting for the replies from the 500 other letter writers that were promised to me. I’m not superstitious so I don’t fear the consequences of not passing these things on; I often walk under ladders to show my kids it’s all nonsense and I lived many unscathed years at house number 13. When I was nominated by Rachel at Ten Minutes Spare to share the 50 things that make me happy I felt rather differently. Suddenly I was ripping down the curtains in the bedroom, making dungarees for the kids and singing ‘My favourite things’ in a very loud voice.
Forgive me for sounding just a little negative amongst all the excitement but I just want to bring up a rarely spoken about topic. Something that might be unexpected and out of character and could catch you unawares. If you’ve had a little warning you can stop this pesky thing in its tracks so let’s just take a bit of time to discuss it, after all being forewarned is being forearmed.
