Triathlon training - update number 4 (and Christmas card run)

I would have liked to have stuck to the training schedule I set myself for this triathlon but what life just getting in the way it hasn't happened. However, that being said I have regularly been in the pool, maybe not so regularly been on the bike (kind of given up hope of being able to actually cycle up Arthur Seat - resigned to walking up pushing my bike) and most definitely, without a doubt been on some fabby runs.

I have been on runs up the Pentlands, Glentress, around Penicuik and Roslin. My runs have taken up me up hills and past reservoirs and rivers. I have run through rain, sun and wind. Every run different, every run just as much fun.

 

Today though was different though, the first real snow of the season. So as I was working from home marking I decided to set out for an early morning run to deliver my Christmas cards. It started off with very light snow, just soft snowflakes falling gently on the grass as I ran past. As the run lengthened the snow got heavier and heavier until it was stinging my face. That being said it was a really good run, at one point I was the only person around and there was an eerie peace to Cornbank which was kinda nice.

at one with nature...

Uttershill Castle

Near the beginning of the run

Near the end of the run - spot the difference!

Christmas cards all delivered and on such a Christmassy day. Brilliant running around Penicuik - as always.

I want to add something to the bottom of this blog which doesn't have a whole lot to do with running but I wanted to share with everyone who reads my blog. In September I joined a young widows group. Now those of you who know me will know what I think of that horrible label. To mean it just has nothing positive about it so quite frankly wasn't for me so just decided that I wasn't going to conform and ever use it. However, curiosity and nosiness got the better of me when I was told about this group so I joined it. And only a few visits onto the chat forum I met a lovely man called Mark whose wife had died the same year Alistair died only in the summer. We got chatting and realised that we had an awful lot in common and also found that we were able to chat about Alistair and Alison (his wife) with ease and this was a real comfort as you do just need to be able to talk candidly sometimes about what happened to them with someone who knows exactly how awful it was to share in someone's death so closely. After a few weeks of chatting on-line Mark and I agreed to meet up for coffee, which was on my part a complete disaster because I got hopelessly lost (which I have been doing all year) and we only ended up with ten minutes for a quick chat as he was on his lunch break. Gladly my chaotic sense of direction didn't put him off and we have continued to see each other ever since. What is so lovely about this relationship is that Alistair and Alison are never far from our minds, always in our conversations and always there guiding our thoughts. I just wanted everyone to know that Mark and I have decided to give being a couple a go, he lives in Dunblane so definitely a bit of a long distance (although not that long unless you get lost finding your own house again Mark!!) relationship but that suits us just fine. 

I just want to say that it is lovely to have Mark, Caitlin, Arwen and David in our lives at this time especially at Christmas. 

For my Fetchie friends, unfortunately Mark is not a runner (yet - give me time) but does take to his bike. He seems to be okay with the madness that is my running life, but that could all change with the first marathon he has to hang about at for hours to welcome home a bedraggled, knackered JaneyM needing a cup of tea and a lie down. But we will see. Meantime I hope everyone is happy for us and I want everyone to know that Alistair will always be in my heart and a huge part of my life and meeting Mark will only add to the rich tapestry that is the history of my life,

Don't worry, be happy :)