Can I have a jam sandwich please Mrs Patterson??!

I know I know; it’s been far too long since my last post – I said last time I was busy: I clearly did not use the term appropriately last time!

So this is a bit of a life and training update, with a race report following swiftly…I’ll try to keep it interesting, and keep it light.

I’ve decided to spend a bit more time off Facebook and the like for a wee while – what with the recent political upheavals, I’ve found myself increasingly angry and upset with the understandable conflict between friends and even family. Aside from my own political views, I’m finding it hard to see the wood for the trees, so thought I’d take a step back from it all (not so much burying my head in the sand, as I’m still keeping abreast with what’s going on) but I know that I still have plenty to be getting on with in my own life right now, and I know it will be a much better use of my own resources, instead of spending time worrying about the bigger pond right now….so I hope this will provide a bit of light reading in comparison!

Okay, so the training has been going surprisingly quite well (she says, trying desperately to find a piece of wood!). I’m slowly building the mileage, and enjoying new found endurance that is allowing me to push beyond the old boundaries of my running repertoire, and explore new routes.

Nothing like a spaniel to keep you 'motivated'...it's a backward resistance training session where you are trying to stop the dog from running so fast that you fall over/get dragged into the canal

I’ve also added a slightly more interesting selection of running accessories – I’ve suffered the ignominy of having to purchase a running vest (aka fancy running bag with a camelbak) for starters: I’m not one to avoid buying new kit generally, but I’m suffering from a painful emotional dilemma of feeling both pride and utter humiliation at having to run with such a piece of kit on my home turf…I know I need it, and it has come in real use for carrying food and water, but quite simply, sometimes I feel like a right knob.

Having said this, I’ve had to expand my trail running kit even further, which the bag does help to facilitate.  I have now acquired (courtesy of my parents) a pair of secateurs and a gardening glove (just the one, of course, don’t want to overdo it on the extra weight to carry!) in case of stiles and passages being exceedingly overgrown…although I’ve found them not to be as useful as a trusty stick when it comes to clearing all-encompassing nettles and cow parsley.

The weighing of the secateurs - don't want to be carrying extra weight if a lighter set is available!

And as for nutrition – this has been a whole new kettle of fish: as a cyclist/triathlete, I’m well used to munching on the odd energy bar or gel on two wheels, but the thought of having to do so whilst running was never particularly appealing, and so avoided it…but now I’m running distances which make it a necessity to do so.

So the great food tasting experiment has officially begun! My most recent acquisition in my trail-running carte-du-jour, has been the delightfully simple jam sandwich, on good old cheapo white sliced bread, which now joins avocado and cream cheese wraps, flapjacks, scotch pancakes, and that stalwart of every sportsperson’s nutritional arsenal – the humble banana. Any suggestions on other good food to munch whilst you trudge is much appreciated!

Pondering which is the more middle-class moment - the making of homemade granola and storage in kilner jars, or spending ten minutes trying to photograph said granola...

Cross training has been going very well too – the gang at Crossfit SY1 have been putting me through my paces, and I’m pleased to say positive results are being slowly reaped…I’m getting ever closer to completing that elusive pull up!!

And great news! - There is an open day taking place down at the gym on SUNDAY 24^th JULY which include a load of fun people talking about crossfit, a bbq and beer session from 4pm, and sample classes throughout the day giving you a glimpse of the sort of things we get up to on a daily basis. It’ll be a really chilled event, where you can meet the trainers, and current members, and you get to hear a wee chat from me about my ChariTea Run in September…please come and listen!

Final note/plug – my 140 mile run is taking place 12-17^th September, starting and finishing in Shrewsbury. I’m incredibly grateful to the team at Tweet Up Shrewsbury for allowing me to speak at their most recent gathering, and the very kind offers of raffle prizes from many of the local independent business owners. If you fancy joining me for part of this run, then I would love to hear from you! Similarly, if anyone has an idea for a raffle prize, or indeed, has something they would be willing to donate, please do get in touch! The run is raising money for Shrewsbury Ark, a great local charity that aids the homeless and vulnerable in our community, so anything that you can donate, even if it’s just a few pennies, is much appreciated!!

Right. That’s a fair update on my general comings and goings I think – TTFN chums!

The trails are a-calling! Time to get out a-running! :)

One year on: the reminiscing cyclist

So today is the anniversary of my second day of cycling across Canada…not so significant as the first many folk may think, but for me, day two was the real beginning of the cycling. Day one was all about settling the nerves, finding my way out of the Vancouver, calming the excitement from months of build-up and preparation.

In Canada, everyone who does the cross-country tour knows that day two can make or break you. Get through day two, and you can make it the rest of the way. Because when you’re travelling West to East, you have to tackle the unrelenting Rockies very early on. And for me personally, this was going to be the first time that I was really out in the wilds by myself – May is still technically off-season, and for all the talk I gave to everyone about feeling fine and that I’d done loads of research, I was still essentially bricking it at the prospect of meeting a bear.

Wall of mountains

When I set off from Hope that frosty morning, I remember being genuinely concerned at the gradient of the road from the offset. I’m pretty sure I averaged 5mph all morning. It was a real slog, and the ache from the previous day was setting into my legs, which were still very unused to transporting me and all my gear uphill.

And when I think back to the moment of disbelief upon seeing that summit sign – my first mountain pass conquered - where patches of snow still lingered and the temperature dropped, I still remember catching my breath, laughing with both pride and shock – day two had been completed, I had passed the test.

Further on, there were plenty more challenges to overcome – mental fatigue, running out of water and food, more mountains, flat plains of endlessly long roads, mechanical breakdowns...but even now, I still think back to that day when I used my more than cringe-worthy mantras to get me round the next bend in the road, to take the focus away from the sensation of burning muscles...

My weekends of late have all been about getting the longer running miles under my belt, and this weekend just gone was no exception. I dragged my dad (willing volunteer/victim) out to Church Stretton to run some long miles up and around the Long Mynd.

Heading into the Shropshire Wilds...

And while the hills aren’t as long and there’s no threat of bears, I was very much taken back to that day in Canada by the similar ache in my legs and the soft hail that fell like snow while we jogged over the soft plateau (not to mention the many ‘wild beasts’ that roam on the top of the Mynd…nobody wants to startle the sheep that cling to the steep sides of the valleys…) all followed by the exhilarating thrill of a final descent back towards civilisation.

Although my next challenge is on a much smaller scale in some respects, physically and mentally it presents very similar shaped obstacles to overcome. And it’ll all eventually boil down to whether my brain will push my body out of its comfort zone again. For me, it’s never been about being the fastest, it’s about the sense of accomplishment upon completion.

Where there is accomplishment....

...ice cream there shall be!

My next BIG ADVENTURE!!!

So the time has finally come. I've just spent a week ailing between my bed and sofa in the relative isolation of my parent's house trying to rid myself of tonsillitis. And now that I feel like I'm returning to my usual self, I am feeling confident enough to announce my shiny brand new adventure - HURRAY!!!!!


In keeping with the 'discover my own backyard' theme that I have set myself this year, I have decided to try and complete an off road run. A rather long off road run through the wilds of Shropshire, taking me to places I've only heard about from folk down the pub...or rather, seen on a road sign that I haven't chosen to follow.

No, I'm not planning on wandering around Whixall for six days wondering: 'how the hell do I get out of here?' I'm actually planning to run the long distance route of the Shropshire Way. That's a healthy 130-odd miles (if you exclude the out-and-back bit from Wem to Grindley Brook, which I am) to tackle over a period of six days. So it breaks down into roughly just under a marathon each day for the first five days, and then what I'm anticipating will be a shorter limp towards the finish line.

Nothing like a bit of off road muddy fun!

I'm hoping to start on Monday 12th September, and complete it on 17th, starting and finishing in my home town of Shrewsbury.

So yes, this is what I've been plotting for a wee while now...and as this is going to hurt me ALOT, I've decided to try and put my madness to good use, and to raise money for charity. I've gone for local charity Shrewsbury Ark, because I feel they are doing some incredible work for the vulnerable and the homeless in our community, and would I would like to see them continue to do so. I have no intended minimum or maximum in terms of fundraising aspirations, all I'm hoping is to raise as much money as I can for this great charity.

I'm still very much in the early stages of planning, training etc....so I'm hoping to have some fun checking out parts of the route, looking for sponsors (already thrilled to say that the fantastic guys Dan and Steve have been roped in from Crossfit SY1 - they are incredible and crossfit is brill, so get yourself down there if you fancy a brutal but rewarding workout!) and attempt to document the build up and actual week of the event on the blog.

So now it's finally out there, I suppose I should start some running training?!?...maybe after this brew...after all, it would be insulting to the biscuits if there was nothing to wash them down with...

From the end of one adventure to the start of another...

My problem with #StrongnotSkinny

I’ve not written an opinion piece before, but this is a topic that has been on my mind for a while, so I thought I’d attempt at putting my personal perspective into legible scribbles…

The relatively recent appearance of the hashtag ‘#StrongnotSkinny’ has been considered by many as a step forward in encouraging women to embrace their bodies for what they can achieve, as opposed to solely their appearance. This is something I’m constantly trying to advocate: I have never been skinny, but my enthusiasm for all things sport and fitness has forged a positive focus on what my body is capable of.

However, as every sportsperson knows, the mind is overwhelmingly important in pushing the capabilities of your body to the limit.

One of my toughest days of cycling in Canada - plenty of tears and gritted teeth, but I came out with renewed mental strength and confidence in what I could achieve

And this in turn, has brought me to think about the importance of a healthy mind working in partnership with your body’s physical output. From my own personal experience, fluctuations in my mood (for whatever reason) can easily affect my performance, or even lead me to stop exercising completely (which I realise is rather counterintuitive, given that exercise is likely to release endorphins to boost my mood rather more so than sitting on the sofa stuffing my face with chocolate…but good luck trying to convince me of this when I’m suffering the usual bout of PMT).

So why create a hashtag that may praise one group of women whilst simultaneously vindicating another group of women. I understand that it’s meant to empower rather than condemn, but I feel like it’s very much a sidestep in attempts to move away from the continuous body-shaming that is exacerbated by western culture and media.

I have plenty of ‘skinny’ friends, some of whom are just as, or even stronger than I am – yet this hashtag puts them down for having a body type that they may not be able to change – just as am more powerfully built and would not be able to make myself skinny even if I tried – I can be lean if I make the effort, but I enjoy eating too much.

Mmmm...baked goods

I know it’s meant to be taken as a positive message, but I just feel like it negates any positivity it can create by continuing the pattern of advocating and praising one body shape whilst condemning another.

How is this supposed to foster a positive change in the global female psyche that we are worth more than how we look? This is an exclusive hashtag: one that isn’t embracing diversity, whilst continuing to maintain the focus on physical attributes.

It’s your mind, first and foremost, that is pushing you to your limits; praise your brain for being the part of you that forced you out of the door to go for the run that will release the endorphins and boost your mood…from this perspective, the resulting external changes to your body are merely a bi-product.

So yes, be strong, be and achieve more than what you thought yourself capable of. But first embrace who you are and realise that you aren’t simply a body with moving parts.

Rambling about Rambling

So this is actually happening! I am pleased to report that I have started this rather fun adventure of exploring my home county.

This first idea for a mini excursion was inspired by a book I read once called The Idle Traveller: The Art of Slow Travel, where the Dan Keiran describes his journey home on foot, rather than by car. And having recently moved out of the family homestead (no doubt to the relief of my parents – Dad has been hoarding so much furniture in his shed that Mum was particularly pleased to finally get rid of some, not to mention getting one of their adult child out from under their feet!) I thought it might be nice to complete a similar journey myself, walking back to my childhood home from my current abode.

I’ve made the journey from Shrewsbury back to my house countless times before, driving or cycling to and from school or work, but I have never taken the time to walk the distance before, along the road or through the countryside.

So it was simply a case of borrowing the right OS map from the extensive collection at home, packing a bag with the trusty teapot (because it wouldn’t be right to go adventuring without the Tardis) and heading out on the chilly but bright Saturday morning – my first ever legitimate Saturday off I should probably add; as someone who has only previously worked in hospitality, this is a novelty that will take time to wear off!

I walked down to the riverside, and began striding alongside dog walkers, cyclists, runners and drifters alike, all out enjoying the dry, clear weather. My thoughts were slowly drifting away from the working week, my mind relaxing and filling with wonderful memories of previous adventures. Soon, I was beyond the weir, striking out along the narrowing path that still hugged the meandering Severn.

Setting off!

A group of horses witnessed my first tumble of the day, their whinnies like laughter as I slipped and slid along the muddy track before I eventually lost my footing, coating my knees and backside in wet mud…a classic start Ballantyne…

I reached Uffington and peeled off the Shropshire Way, making for the low-lying fields that would cut off the dog-leg that passed through Haughmond Hill; that section can be saved for another trip..

I'm on my way....uh huh, uh huh....

It felt fantastic to be out in the country again, in a place devoid of buildings so I could feel the full strength of that northerly wind sting my face, and doing something different for me – before I could stop myself, my head began to swell with more schemes, more adventures I could get my teeth into.

I sauntered into Astley along a narrow country land, and paused for lunch in the graveyard of the toy-sized church. It was also a good moment to pause and empty my boots of mud and grit that had infiltrated after so many miles plodding.

Lunchtime!

With each passing mile I was greeted with ever-closer views of Clive Church and Grinshill, knowing that my destination was getting that little bit closer kept the energy in my legs and my mood uplifted, that progress was being made.

After passing through Hadnall, along the woods by Hardwicke Estate, I felt like I was on the home stretch – I knew exactly where I was, and the hill was looming up ahead.

And yet I was brought to a standstill just before reaching the village: the land here has recently been overhauled for extensive dairy farming, and although the public footpath was still clearly marked, I was forced to rethink my route by the swathes of knee-deep mud I’d unwittingly managed to surround myself with. There was no real option other than to forge along one of the cow paths and then re-join the path as quickly as I could…in hindsight I cannot decide if this was the better or worse option: although this route did not offer knee-deep mud, it offered calf-deep mud that was an unpleasant mix of mud and cow poo, which proceeded to seep into my walking boots…don’t get me wrong, I love mud generally, (there’s nothing more satisfying that running a long way through a lot of mud!) but I’m pretty sure this went a little bit too far...I don’t think I’ve ever wished for gators more!

When I managed to escape the mire mayhem, the short jaunt along Sandy Lane into Grinshill was blissful relief – my feet were becoming achy and sore, but I was unwilling to attempt untying my boots to remove the grit; they were still smothered in thick orange-brown paste, my leggings and socks caked.

I felt the wonderful upwelling of fulfilment with every passing step as home came into eye line at long last. Completing a journey, whatever the distance, will never grow old for me – the sense of achievement at completing something I set out to do will always fill me with a sense of pride.

Beautiful Clive church

There was no great homecoming: after 12 and a half miles of tramping through fields, I was greeted by the usual suspects: Stewie, hopping out the cat flap to see whose arrived, wagging his tail and yapping; Tallis leaping at the door because she can’t quite fit through the cat flap; and Candice-Marie, the actual cat in this trio, snoozing on top of the bread bin.

All that remained was to have a celebratory mug of tea, brewed with the ever-faithful Tardis! And to plan the next adventure of course....until next time gang!

2016: A year for something different

Hello once again!! It has been a much longer hiatus from my scribbles than I had intended, but I’m glad you have once again chosen to join me in my musings. And alas, if you’re joining me to hear of daring travels from across the pond or faraway lands, then I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint – I will not be offended if you now turn your attention to a more appropriate blog….as for the rest of you, find yourself a brew and let us continue…

Since returning from the whirlwind that was Canada, I have yet to leave the borders of the UK. In fact, I’ve barely ridden a bicycle since landing back on these shores – partly because I couldn’t balance on a normal bike with no panniers or tent, I kept falling off…and partly because Bella (my wonderful two-wheeled team-mate) is still in need of some TLC.

Walking out in South Shropshire

Yet I am getting itchy feet.

Currently however, a change in work commitments, and a certain lack of funds (apparently lots of fun nights out drinking with friends old and new are not conducive to saving a bucket of cash for your next adventure) are meaning that getting away for an extended period of time is at present, unfeasible.

And actually, it’s not exactly what I want right now. I’m enjoying a renewed sense of freedom from moving into a flat with an incredible friend, and rediscovering the fun and frolicks that can be had from living just a short walking distance from a great selection of watering holes, many of which house my favourite beer...

So instead of sulking and moping about not topping up my tan lines (my leg stripes are still holding out!!), I have decided to do something different for me. Something that will still allow me to explore and discover new places. I’m planning on riding the current wave of adventuring vogue by hopping on board the ‘get to know your own back yard’ bus: to spend my time outside of work on different ‘micro-adventures’; be that running up a different hill, mountain biking along the Long Mynd, or trying to find the best tea and cake combo in a new town…or ice cream…or both, I’m doing this with an open mind.

Yes: this is the year I get to know where I’m from. Not in the ‘I’m going to sit in a dusty archive and research long gone family members and trying to find my roots’ sense – I don’t need to do this, my dad has that covered: he tells me I’m from a long line of factory workers just outside the Land of the Weegies, aka Glasgow...so proud…

Chilling in the new flat

No no, as much as I’m honoured to call some of my heritage Scottish (no wonder I chose to study in Edinburgh, clearly my inner Braveheart was calling me back to the homeland), I’m a Shropshire lass through and through. Yet I have pitiful knowledge of where I was born, and have seen very few places within the county I call home.

Beautiful Shrewsbury at sunset

I’m not saying I have aspirations to go on Mastermind with the inner workings and history of Shropshire as my specialist subject (I would destroy anyone if the questions were on the Harry Potter books) but I feel it’s high time I hop off my sofa and back to doing something I love – exploring!

It’s time to get my trusty steed out of retirement (or any bicycle to be fair, just something that will get me from A to B with minimal breakdowns…) drag the Tardis teapot out of the cupboard, and get on the road to once more. I cannot wait! Just got to decide where to go first...

Time to plan some new adventures!!!!

Where do we go now?

Well that's the question really. Where to head next?

My initial answer was simple: try to get back to the UK. I planned my return journey a fair while ago, but that involved me trekking to Halifax, where my flight back to the UK was leaving from.

I had left plenty of time to get there, but the problem with travelling on Newfoundland is that places are quite far apart and not a huge amount of public transport. Now I hear you say, just hop on your bike already! But it's a hefty 80 mile ride to get to the ferry, my bike is incredibly knackered, and, to be honest, I know the hills I have to conquer to get there (I've already cycled over half of them) and I don't know if I fancy trying to tackle them again!!

So after asking around for lifts from the very few people I knew in St Johns, sadly none of them were heading out in that direction, so a new plan came into being: get to the highway and hitch hike!

The day dawned possibly as one of the wettest I've experienced here in Canada - a severe weather warning had been issued for that day and the previous evening for torrential rain and high winds - and I dragged myself out into the storm at a healthy 6am.

It took me an hour of peddling uphill to get to the highway, and then I started to stick my thumb out and start flagging down cars. It didn't take long before someone took pity - no one would wish people to be out cycling in this weather after all! - and the wonderful Ronnie helped me out with a ride to the Whitbourne junction, a good two thirds of the way there.

And then Brenda came into my life. She picked me up just after the junction, and was a great bundle of laughs and fantastic stories. She brought me into her home for bacon and eggs, took me to the local pub for a pint, and packed me off to the ferry with a bag stuffed full of food. AND (I feel it was fate running into her) I finally saw a moose on Newfoundland! It ran right out into the road in front of us, making us both jump and shriek 'IT'S A MOOSE!!!!' In the excitement of it all I managed to get a great photo....of the car's dashboard and the white van that scared the moose away - good to see my photography skills have improved over my time here, at least I attempted to take a picture this time!

Damn you white van man!!

Final pint in Newfoundland

The ferry was long: 15 hours spent on a boat to get back to the mainland is a fair amount of time to spend twiddling your thumbs. Though I wasn't short of people to talk to: hilariously, news was spreading about the girl from Manchester (the best place I decided to describe myself from, apparently everyone has heard of Manchester United...I should probably explain here that I grew up in a Liverpool supporting household, and wasn't particularly impressed when this was brought up.... Sorry I'm digressing!!) who had cycled across the country, so I had a few people come up to me to ask me about my travels. This included a lovely chap who had done a lot of walking holidays in the UK, and the intense biker named Dwight; he didn't really understand the importance of a personal bubble when meeting someone new, nevertheless an interesting guy, who had travelled a lot of the country on his motorcycle (not proper biking of course!) and understood the wonderful simplicity of living with very few possessions and feeling content with what little he had.

People watching 

The view from my window seat

But I spent the majority of my journey sitting and talking with the lovely Don and Sharon, who were from Newfoundland and heading to the mainland for a short holiday; no fixed arrangements, just seeing where the road would take them for a week or so, they were celebrating Sharon's completion and freedom from radiotherapy.

Getting to Halifax involved more hitchhiking, and I felt very lucky to be picked up by a pair of fellow tourers (who were travelling to a wedding that day - I really hope Mabel emails me her recipe for that chocolate date cake she gave me a slice of, it was simply divine!) and a fantastic drive down to Halifax with Brian, who was incredibly knowledgeable on local history, and the nation's favourite sport ice hockey, so we wiled away the drive easily.

So I've finally made it to my absolute, complete final destination! I've spent the last of my 'newly-meet' relatives Sara and Alan before I fly back to the UK in a few short days.

Sightseeing at Lunenburg

I've really enjoyed writing this blog - I was incredibly uncertain about it to begin with, and have been overwhelmed by the kind messages from people who have been following me on this journey.

I was struck by the Terry Fox quote that's engraved on his memorial in St Johns:

'I just wish people would realise that anything's possible if you try; dreams are made if you try'.

This was a wonderful thing to read at the end of my journey, and it confirmed a lot of what I've been learning on this trip - that you truly can do what you want if you try. A great deal of this trip was completely unknown for me - I sometimes think the only thing I actually knew was how to ride a bicycle! - and I'm proud to say that I feel like I've accomplished more than just a bicycle ride across a fairly large country. I hope you've enjoyed reading about this and the fascinating people and places as much as I've had fun divulging it all for you - I really have tried to make this more than a standard 'I'm cycling this far, listen to how much my legs hurt and the speed I averaged for the day' blog!

I think it's fair to say I've seen a decent chunk of Canada. However, I have decided that I am merely treating this trip as a reconnaissance; there is far more to see and do that I feel I have missed out on for the sake of reaching my destination on time. So it is definitely fair to say that I will most certainly be back!

And so, where to now? That, my friends, is a very good question - if you have any suggestions then please get in touch! My bike could do with a bit if a breather, but my mind is already plotting for the next adventure. Let's wait and see where the next few months of planning take me...but for now, it is most definitely time for a brew!