Go Ape

 

My birthday weekend part 2 - yesterday I went to Go Ape with Jo at Delamere Forest to do the Treetop Challenge. It was so fun - love all stuff like this!

We were booked in for the 11:30am group but we were super early so had to wait for the earlier group of people to be harnessed up and practice how to do it. You get a short induction of sorts of how to clip yourself in and what to do then you're just left to it. You clip your self onto the ropes and do different challenges - walking along planks, ropes, Tarzan across a net, zip wire all sorts of different things. On some there was an easy route then there was a more advanced harder and we had to go for the harder one. It wasn't actually any harder just more fun. Might as well try it while you're there.

We couldn't take a bag and because we were wearing gym clothes without pockets we couldn't take our phone with us so didn't get any photos of what the course looked like or us doing any of it. We could have walked back afterwards to get photos but just got too dirty because at the end of each part there is a zip wire that goes into wood chippings and we kept crashing straight into it and getting covered in it. Was all in my shoes and socks - that was the worst bit and only dirty bit really. So good job I wore my old gym trainers I wasn't bothered about getting dirty and got changed after.

It says it takes 2-3 hours but the only reason it took so long was the people in front going round so slow which was slowing us down. We were the first to go in our group and started around 11:45am and finished at 2:15pm. We would have got round pretty quick if there wasn't anyone in front of us as I was just going for it wasn't scared. Jo got a bit scared off some off the zip line and the second big Tarzan swing.

It was really good I enjoyed it and would do it again - they have a few different ones but I think this was the hardest one and the other ones are more suitable for younger kids.

After we went to Cheshire Oaks and had food at Wagamama

Jo got:

Grilled Duck Donburi - Shredded duck in spicy teriyaki sauce, sticky white rice, carrot, mangetout, sweet potato, cucumber, red + spring onions, fried egg, side of kimchi

I got:

Teriyaki Udon (changed the soba noodles to udon) - mangetout, bak choi, red + spring onions, beansprouts, teriyaki sauce, seaame seeds and salmon

Chicken Yakitori - Marinated miso glazed chicken skewers with sesame seeds

We definitely ordered the hoisin pulled duck bun and was sat waiting for it but didn't come so we asked but they said we didn't order it but sure we did so we just left it and this was enough food for us.

Cheshire Oaks was so busy and the Nike shop was definitely the busiest and it wasn't even that good. Like the stuff in there wasn't good and wasn't even that cheap either. It used to be a lot cheaper, things were expensive but I did end up buying 3 t-shirts just for the gym.

Thanks for the day out Jo! Fun filled birthday weekend for the last of my 20s!

Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr || Bloglovin || Google+ || Pinterest || Last.fm

Chester

Had a little day out to Chester today. We went to Cheshire Oaks first then ended up in Chester. Cheshire Oaks was busy as kids are off for the Easter holidays. The Nike shop was disappointing nothing good but the queue was all around the shop. Clearly we got there late and missed out as Rich wanted to get some stuff but it wasn't worth waiting in the queue for. All the shops were rubbish as well but me and Sarah did get a Mac Velvet Teddy lipstick in the first shop we went to. Some discount cosmetics shop.

Sarah has never been to Chester before so it was a little day out for her - not that there is much to see in the town really. We went to Cafe Rouge for some food. We did actually go into Bella Italia first but the waitress was really rude and we weren't feeling the food so just walked out after we ordered the drinks and told them to cancel them as the service was crap.

We were the only people in Cafe Rouge though which was weird and there was only one woman waiting on. So we were expecting the service to be perfect.

I got the Pea and Mint Tortelloni - with tomato tapenade & watercress garnish

It was actually really nice and I was starving so just inhaled it. It was cold but I still ate it I was that hungry. Told the woman and they ended up giving me another one as I said I wanted to try it hot but it still come out cold so not sure what's going on there as they apparently tempered it before they brought it out the second time. I could have had a full bowl of it really I enjoyed it that much. 

Rich got the Seasonal soup - Lentil and Minestrone

Sarah got the Grilled veg and halloumi baguette - grilled peppers, courgettes, aubergines and halloumi, with smoked harissa hummus and coriander cress with sweet potato fries 

Jo got Poulet Breton - roast chicken surpreme with mushrooms, courgettes, leeks and a herb & wine sauce with sweet potato fries instead of mash

Rich got the Steak baguette - sliced black Angus rump steak with red onion chutney, and Dijon mayonnaise

I got the Salmon - oven baked with asparagus, samphire, crushes new potatoes and Cafe de Paris Bearnaise

The salmon was nice wasn't dry at all. The asparagus was a bit dead though but felt like I couldn't really moan any more otherwise they would have spat in my food. I didn't like the sauce but luckily I didn't need it. 

We got 2 for 1 with Meerkat Meals so it worked out only £12 each which was good. We just drove back after, went home and got changed to go the gym to do a quick hour training chest. My legs are still sore from yesterday's run though and did spend the day walking everywhere so I should have a good night's sleep tonight. Can't be bothered with going to work though but back to reality tomorrow.

Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr || Bloglovin || Google+ || Pinterest || Last.fm

Tired legs

Run 43 - 8.5 miles this morning.

This morning's run was hard - legs were heavy and tired. Earphones broke so had to run with no music. Lucky it stopped running as we left as it was pouring down on our way to the gym!

I've pulled a muscle in my left shoulder on Monday night and that was hurting. You'd think pulling a muscle in my shoulder means I can run just can't train upper body.. Nope when you run you use your arms and shoulders to move. I kind of tense my shoulders as well when I run. I was given a tip to not have my arms so high up as it'll conserve energy so with an injured shoulder this is the perfect time to learn my new technique!

It was a complete contrast to last week's run when I felt amazing and was really happy with it. This week was the opposite but you get weeks like this, just have to push a little harder. I've still managed to clock them miles - 15.2 miles this week. Slowly building them up. At the moment no run is a bad run. Every run and mile counts. It's days like today when you just need to push a little harder and just keep at it and rest more.

I haven't ran since Thursday night and did take Friday off which was the first rest day since New Year's day. Maybe that Pizza Hut I had last Saturday did help - maybe pizza is the answer to doing long runs? 

Not going to run till probably Wednesday night now so that's 3 days so hopefully have a good run in me by then and my shoulder is better. Just annoying when things go well and I get injured but that's part of training you will get injured just have to be careful and push through it!

Went to Cheshire Oaks again but with my mum and dad yesterday. Bought 2 tops from Nike in the sale and some kids pjs from M&S for £5!

Finally got myself a pair of Adidas NMD's. They were £41.95 and I managed to get myself student discount so paid £37.75 for them which is a bargain as they were £160 I think originally. These are more fashion rather than the gym and training. Still got another 2 pairs I want on my list.. Nike Air Max 270 and Nike React Element 87. But the list goes on as new pairs come out all the time. I don't really have the space for them all but I can't help it!

Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr || Bloglovin || Google+ || Pinterest || Last.fm

Productive Morning

Had the day off work and had a super productive morning all before 10am!

I got up at 5:30am like I would for work to go to a 6:30am circuits with Sarah at NG-Up Fitness. Sarah goes pretty much every morning and says how good it is so I thought I've got the day off and don't want to mess up my sleeping pattern I'd finally give it a try!

There was 12 different weight and body weight stations for 1 minute and we went round 3x non stop for 45 minutes. It was good got a real sweat on not done a circuit like this in a while. Usually it's a lot more intense though as they have treadmill sprints and burpees - managed to dodge them today which I was fine with as I did crossfit last night and hill intervals on the treadmill.

I'm going to look like one of them new year new me people as I'm not gonna be able to go back as I can't get in before work sadly!

It was £2.50 for my first one and it's £5 after that, weekdays 6:30am - 7:15am. They do one in the evenings too.

I got back sorted myself out and went for a 5 km / 3 mile run that turned into a 5.5 km / 3.5 mile run. Started off running into the wind then it died down a bit as I carried on so it wasn't too bad. It was a good run. Made it back, showered, washed and dried my hair then had some porridge all before 10am and no one else in my family was up yet. I'd say that was super productive a full day pretty much done before 10am. Tried to have an hour power nap before I went out but that failed.

Went to Cheshire Oaks at 12pm with Danielle. Went wild again on new gym stuff.. Nike - 2 sports bras, a hoodie and shorts. Under Armour - running top, tee and leggings and a pair of leggings from New Balance. The most expensive thing was the New Balance leggings which were £20, everything else was under that. So I think I did pretty well there. Every where had a sale on so if you're after some gym stuff it's worth having a look!

So marathon training is going well I'm sticking to my plan and being super productive working on my fitness and going for runs on my own to make sure I'm getting them miles in. Back in the gym tomorrow night and the next 5 km / 3 miler will be Friday and then a 10 km / 6 mile run on Sunday morning!

Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr || Bloglovin || Google+ || Pinterest || Last.fm

Shopping

Booked the day off work today and went to Cheshire Oaks with Danielle. I did go to the gym in the morning for an hour just to do some cardio. I'm sure everyone will be glad to know I'm finally going to see a physio on Friday so I should hopefully be back running soon!

I went a little crazy in the Nike shop and bought 2 pairs of leggings, 2 sports bras, a top and some compression socks. At what point do Nike sponsor me as I really am a walking Nike mannequin.. Didn't own a sports bra now I own 2! Hi Nike if you wanna sponsor me I won't say no!

Bought some pj pants from Gap as well. I never seem to be able to buy anything when I go to Cheshire Oaks but made the most of it today. Some times you just need to treat yourself. I do wear gym clothes every single day so I can never have too much gym stuff!

It was a successful trip Danielle made a start on her Christmas shopping.

On the way back we went to Crust in Woolton village for dinner.  

Porchetta - Porchetta roast pork, caramelised onions

Ravioli Alla Fiorentina - Ravioli, spinach, ricotta, tomatoes

I added chicken.

The food was nice but I should really learn that ravioli is never really filling as you don't get that much but I did help Danielle to eat her pizza as she couldn't eat the full thing to herself.

Crust why have you stopped doing your loyalty card?? Cos this is the 7th time I've been I'm sure you owe me a couple of pizzas or 2...

JD Williams TV Christmas Ad 2018

So I'm in the JD Williams Christmas ad this year as an extra! This was filmed in September in Lytham St Annes and came out about 2 weeks ago. I've not seen the full ad on TV yet but Danielle has. You can watch it on Youtube here. You'll see me 10 seconds in after the woman in lingerie sitting on the chair! 

It was fun getting my hair and make up done and given clothes to wear. The only thing that's mine is the jeans everything else they provided.

Behind the scenes of Christmas day on the beach which everyone does in England right?

Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr || Bloglovin || Google+ || Pinterest || Last.fm