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This blog is for my final, official run/race of 2014, and the end of the year from "How it all started". While looking for my next race before the year ended I came across Fylde coast Runnings Movember Bollocks to it.  At the time it was men only. I was a little disappointed so looked around, there was a similar run in Manchester. Maybe I'd enter this one instead. However, FCRs event then opened up to women, and I entered. I bought myself a stick on moustache, and ordered a tee to run it in.  Unfortunately my custom designed tee didn't arrive in time, my fault, I ordered too close to the event, and my tashe fell off :(  Not my fault, cheap! Good huh? I'll wear it next time :) And get a better tash! The usual nerves kicked in, and I decided that these would never go away, ever. Just something to get used to! Despite this I was looking forward to it. A flat road run with medal and goodie bag. I was good at 10k now, I could do this. Easy ... I d...

I enjoyed my first OCR experience, and when No Ego Challenge announced another, I signed up. This was now one of my ' must do' 'nostalgic' 'my first' runs. It had moved from Preston to Penrith, a little further out. It was advertised as a 10k[ish] muddy race with 35+ gruelling obstacles. a BETTER event village, BIGGER obstacles, MORE mud, MORE water, and LONGER forest sections. I managed to find someone to travel with, a recent muddy friend and muddy runner. I would be running this alone, I was nervous, how would I do the obstacles! The day arrived, I was being picked up early and had to get up even earlier to get a taxi to my pick-up point. It was dark, cold and raining. It was very early. I was tired. I wasn't happy, infact, I was mardy and didn't want to go! My friend picked me up, he was an early bird, jolly and liked the dawn start [the opposite of me]. We nipped for breakfast and I soon cheered up. In no time at all we were there,...

There was another 'local' run the day after my birthday and I wanted to do it! The Natterjack 10k .  I asked my hub if he'd take me and entered the run. I was nervous and worried, like usual, but I was looking forward to it. A flat road run with a Medal and Goodie bag, and we planned to have a breakfast after. 10k (6mile) was still a distance for me, an hour of running was tiring!  Especially in the summer. I hoped I wouldn't be the last over the line ... The day arrived and we travelled to Southport. An early set off as usual. The event looked quite big with runners and spectator's milling around. A DJ tent Massage tent Fast food van and others gave a busy, well organised and professional feel. I was nervous. My hub took my pre run photo I used the loo a few times :/ then got behind the starting line with everyone else. It was timed (pressure, nerves) Count down. Cheers. We were off.   I had my headphones on listening to my music ...

I was asked to join in a different kind of run not long after my muddy experience.  The Color Run [colour]. Yes, it mildly irked me that it was mis-spelled. I checked out the web site and signed up to the 'local' event. Manchester. This is the best post-5k party on the planet! With only two rules, the idea is easy to follow:  1. Wear white at the starting line  2. Finish plastered in colour I was expecting great things! Music, stalls, colours, etc. and was looking forward to it. My tee [which had to be worn for the event] and bib arrived, number 52340 ...  So quite a few runners then!  Not long after the event day was here. I was picked up by fellow runners and we were off to Manchester. We joined in with the thousands (?) of other runners milling around and waiting to start. The queue to see Dulux dog was huge and didn't get to pet him :( It was time to warm-up. It was fun and energetic with Capital FM radio. Then we went up to the starting area,...

During one of my breaks between work calls, I was looking at an out of date local paper.  An article caught my eye. It was of an event that had taken place in the area. A Mud Run, or an Obstacle Course Run [OCR] What was I reading? What was this run? I Googled. I can't find the original article, but here are two reviews of the one I 'missed' in 2013. > http://www.muddyrace.co.uk/race-reviews/no-ego-challenge-race-review/ < > http://www.mudstacle.com/2013/09/ego-challenge-review-obstacle-packed-mud-run.html < It sounded fun! I was going to do this next time it was local. I posted on facebook, asking for a co-runner, and got one. I entered... It was going to be ok. I was a runner now. I could run 10k. I was also fit now [I thought] from doing my home workout videos, Jillian Michaels and Insanity. I'd be ok. I reflected on my decision and decided I best join a gym for weights and bootcamp type workouts to go along with running. Aft...