Amazing Grace.

[lexi6]

Love the words to the above. Have been feeling wretched but am now found. Its almost a month since I last posted and what a challenging month its been, weatherwise always, but personally? Phew! I had my 16 year old granddaughter staying for a little while, giving her and her mum some much needed time out from each other. Boy! Its been a long time since I made lunches and washed uniforms etc. as for her homework OMG!

I tried to catch up and read what you have all been doing, but Wow! you lot are amazing! New 10k graduates, all of you still doing fabulous runs and Old Floss you’re back, so wonderful! RIP Aretha, but RESPECT.

Its not been a total loss for me have managed a couple of parkruns (PBs an all) whooo hoo and not last place last Saturday! (2nd to last) but I’m improving. I did some interval training on Tuesday to Week 1 and lovely Laura, could have hugged her, wish she knew what a difference finding the NHS podcast and her has made to my health and wellbeing.

Did a run today on the Ara Harakeke Walkway, 9.1km in length but that will keep for last run of juju’s plan, finally finished week 3! The path is on the opposite side of the Pauatahanui Inlet, where I took photos on my last post, if I looked the the right its the blimmin railway line, but this view was to my left (taken after the run) too scared to stop in case I couldn’t get going again. The fishing boat in the background was called Streaker ha ha! Not me! a slow and steady plod. The little cross in the photo I made out of harakeke (New Zealand flax) it was one of about 90 we made when we were going to France last year to visit the grave of my Great Uncle who was from your part of the world SaskAlliecat, born in Co Tyrone, emigrated and fought for South Saskatchewan Reigment and died on 19 August 1942 at Dieppe and my OH’s uncle who was killed in Bapaume in 1918 we volunteered to put crosses on all the other New Zealand graves buried at the same cemetery and take photos of each grave with cross for those relatives who would never get to travel there. Sadly we had to cancel the trip a few days before we were due to leave as the OH had an urgent bowel op. We hope to go next year and me I’m looking forward to catching up with family and trying some parkruns in the UK. So sorry, I’ve just realised how long this post is. 🤭

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Glad to have you back with us, Lexi! 😊❤️🏃‍♀️

Sounds like you’ve been having a tough time. ❤️

Lovely photos. I hope the weather is getting much warmer for you in NZ now. ❤️

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks MD. 14 degrees today, but no wind , so stunning, got soaked on Tuesday, but daylight saving is only a month off. Can grit my teeth for a bit longer. So very well done on hour 10k. 😎

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks ❤️😊

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Sorry to hear it’s been a tough time. Great that some running has helped a little.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay. Nothing really compared to what a lot of people go through, still it did make my bottom lip tremble for a bit. Well done on your 10k. Awesome! sorry I missed it

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Lovely to hear from from again Lexi6 and what beautiful pictures from the land of the long white cloud.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, time difference between UK and NZ can be a little hard for me to manage sometimes (I shouldn’t post just on bedtime), so apologies for delay in replying. Just read your post, you will smash 10k! 👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks Lexi, I’ll certainly try. 🤞

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Sounds like you've had so much going on, but great to have you back. It can be so frustrating when life gets in the way. Great job getting out there when you could and sharing your gorgeous pictures. I've had a horrid week of work resulting in being too exhausted to do anything other than survive (although I did get out last night angry/frustrated to run off some much needed steam!) but your pictures brought a much needed smile. I love the water and marina life 😊. Thanks for sharing the story of your Great Uncle, it is neat to have some sort of connection, albeit very distant, to someone here.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks SaskAlliecat, I don’t think I would be able to handle a job, kids and running at all these days. 😳 I’m loving these jaunts in the car to run near the water I’m lucky its all on my own doorstep really and taking photos gives me time to cool down, as I keep steaming all the windows in the car up! Look at that mad red-faced woman behind steering wheel! Road rage sufferer perhaps? My Irish grandma had 4 siblings who settled in Winnipeg, so it is neat to have a connection to your part of the world.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Never apologise for any post!! The longer the better in my book!👍😉

Great run. Sorry to hear your trip is cancelled but of course health comes first. Planning the next one is always fun too.

Keeping up with a 16 yr old! Blimey, I wouldn't want to attempt that one.

Good to see you back 😁

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Thanks JoJo, good to be back, it was pretty gutting to miss the trip, but health more important, you’re right. Initially I found it difficult, but I know I wouldn’t have started c25k and be planning a new itinerary which incorporates being near parkruns on Saturdays! if this hadn’t happened so 👍 and there’s always shopping for new running gear and shoes when I get there 👍👍 Quietly, 16 year old grandaughter was easier than her Mum at the same age, shhh!

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

You’ve been out there, and life happens 😁👍 great to read about the PR PB’s 👏👏 you’ e clearly not lost any fitness and the less intense time has probably done you good. Hope life gets a bit easier now.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thanks Eqiu-geek, was feeling annoyed with myself, posting my running intentions on here for week/month and not completing, but so good to know that the legs haven’t forgotten what to do, wouldn’t have persevered “sitting on the couch” for sure, feeling motivated again, although the new running track was quite invigorating, poo! the air was a bit “whiffy” 😷

[Hidden]

What a lovely post, and so glad to see you back. Great pics too. I thought of you when i bought my new Sturdy by Design Graffiti leggings! xx

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh Flick, leggings envy. Sigh! I have designs on Aurora and Fantasy, but frig! none in my size, your Graffiti are awesome. X

[Hidden in reply to lexi6]

my Aurora are capris and i have the matching vest - did i say? They are getting new stock in, but she had some sort of problem with delivery so it's delayed. Did you know they have a Facebook group now as well as a Facebook page. I'm not a fan girl type, but the group is useful because people post pics of their Sturdys, so you get a better idea of what they look like being worn x

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Its sooooooo hard being 12,000 miles away, by the time their emails pop up in my inbox my size has gone 🤧 sniffle

[Hidden in reply to lexi6]

Best to just keep looking on the website. That’s what Ive done when they’re out of my size 😊

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I could run my butt off (literally) and become a x small, (their usual size left) like that will ever happen he he, but you’re right, will check the website regularly x

[Hidden in reply to lexi6]

The way we’re going, we ought to all end up extra small 😂

[lexi6 Graduate10]

I know whats that all about? Not talking about me obviously - haven’t done the miles yet, but I get a “trifle” annoyed (read really p****d off OH loses 10kg after his bowel op, eats like a gannet and moans that he can’t put on weight. Cue eye roll here! and sassy WHATEVA!!!