Across the world you can hear the resounding cries of, "How is it May already?"
In the past, my voice would have been amongst the din, but in all honesty, I'm no longer surprised. When I look back over what I've done this past month, I wonder instead how I managed to fit it all in.
Until last month I had been doing my 10k races towards the end of the month, but as I looked at my calendar for the months ahead, I realised that wasn't going to work. Cue my races for April to July now taking place in the first weekend of the month. Some might see it as getting them out of the way. I prefer to see it as starting the month strong!
April definitely started strong as I ran 15km in two days (that's far for me).
On the Saturday morning I volunteered at parkrun with the rest of Petts Wood Runners. Great, I thought. I'd be able to enjoy the atmosphere of parkrun, but save my energy for the race the next day.
When I arrived, however, I realised I was on pre-event set-up which meant that I could run if I wanted to. I was dressed for it and I'd had a crappy week. My head was telling me to just get on and do it, so that's what I did! Sometimes you just need to do what the soul needs. It wasn't fast and it wasn't pretty, but it kept me warm on a dull and chilly day. And more importantly it cleared my mind.
The next morning I drove to Medway for the Chatham Maritime 10k. From the races I've done so far, I can only assume that there are two ways the bib numbers are allocated - the order you sign up or by order of surname. When it's by order of surname, I inevitably get number 1. Don't get me wrong, I love this. It gives me an excuse to sing Chesney Hawkes! But I lost count of the amount of comments I got in the end. Here is a small selection...
"Oh, you've got a good number there."
"How much did you have to pay for that one?"
"It doesn't matter if you come last, you'll always be number 1."
After a slippery start, I got into my groove and enjoyed the scenery around the marina and St. Mary's Island. I was very quickly joined by the lovely Emma who was tail-running. Once again I was at the back, but I didn't care because I was doing yet another 10k in beautiful surroundings. Emma was wonderful company, talking the whole time so I didn't have to master the act of conversation while running.
I've decided I really don't like laps. At first I kinda thought that two laps was OK, because when you start the second lap you already know what's coming, which does help. But having done four 10k races now, my favourite was definitely the one that consisted of a single lap. I don't think that's a coincidence!
After the race, I was a little disappointed that I got a time of 01:30:20 as I was really hoping to continue with a sub 01:30 streak. However I have since found that was the gun time and my chip time was actually 01:29:53. Cutting it fine, but get in!
A week later I was doing something completely different and driving to the beautiful Kingdom in the Kent countryside for #AREWEOKUK's first ever Escapes day. I met Dan Keeley through work and when he told me about his mission, I knew I wanted to get involved.
Most people will know I am a big advocate of speaking up about how you feel. I'll admit it's not always easy to do, but we ignore our mental health so much more than we do our physical health and we need to look after both for our all round wellbeing.
The day was billed as a mental health escape, offering the chance to breathe and connect in nature, with guest speakers and the opportunity to experience 1:1 life coaching. Before the main part of the day kicked off, attendees also had the chance to take part in a mindfulness and breathing session or a trail-running and talking loop of the beautiful surroundings.
The whole day was amazing and, for me, the most powerful parts of the day were listening to anyone who was brave enough to share their story. Suffering isn't a one size fits all deal and hearing what these speakers had to say is a reminder that you never know what battle someone may be fighting.
I didn't take any photos on the day, but you can find a great selection here, as well as a short video. You can also find out more about the work that #AREWEOKUK does.
One fitness challenge wasn't enough fo me this month, so Easter Saturday saw me driving to Windsor to take part in my second Easter Walk. A 25km loop around Windsor and the surrounding areas.
Last year I did the same walk in preparation for the London 2 Brighton Challenge and the majority of the route was a chuffing quagmire of doom and despair. The only reason I completed it was because I'd done a training walk a few weeks before and had the sense to take my trekking poles which helped me wade through the mud.
This year couldn't have been more different. Brilliant sunshine and temperatures in the high 20s. A lot of people showed concern about walking the distance in the heat, but I was . grateful.
Last year I did all my training in the cold, wind and rain, but when the end of May arrived, so did he heatwave. I ended up dropping out at 25km, feet and legs fine, but my head thumping and feeling sick.
I made a decision from the beginning that I would not push myself to finish in a particular time. Last year I kept my head down and got the job done. This time I would sit down if I wanted to and take in the views while tucking into some fresh, homemade banana and choc chip loaf.
Best decision ever! The first half of the route took us along the river and with the fantastic weather came everyone out on their boats. I particularly liked one called Viva E'Spaniel. Whoever came up with that is a genius!
After the rest stop, I knew the hard bit was coming. The field at Runnymede may not have been a swamp this time round, but Cooper's Hill was still an absolute arse. I think anyone who was wearing a fitness tracker during the walk reached maximum heart rate at that point!
Once I reached Windsor Great Park, I knew I was nearly there. I saw a couple just leaving a bench and so I walked over to take their spot. Not only was there a wonderfully cool breeze, but there was also a great view of the castle. Considering I didn't have much further to go, it did still seem rather far away, but they don't call it the Long Walk for noting!
I completed the walk, but more importantly I enjoyed it! I survived walking in the heat and I am now feeling more optimistic about the big 44km one at the end of the month. I am doing this challenge to raise as much money as I can for the Alzheimer's Society, but I still want to enjoy the experience as much as I can.
Last week saw me going to the cinema... a lot!
During April I have spent most of my downtime rewatching all of the MCU films in order in preparation for the release of Avengers: Endgame. Once I had finished going through my collection at home, I was pleased to see that Captain Marvel was still at my local cinema so I booked a last minute ticket and went along. Just as epic as the first two times I saw it, but not as epic as Avengers: Endgame...
Weeks ago I was entrusted with a special mission - to get tickets for my Marvel-loving colleagues and me for the opening night at the ODEON BFI IMAX. Of course the tickets went on sale when everyone else was in a meeting so I couldn't confirm with them and they sold out with the snap of an Infinity Gauntlet!
I would not give up though. The next day I checked to see if there were any tickets at Leicester Square and lo and behold I found two rows of three seats grouped together.
So just before 8pm on Thursday 25th April, the Animas Avengers came together to experience the end of an era together. The excitement began before the film when we found that we had each been a Marvel action figure. Cue lots of, "Someone swap their Nick Fury with me - I don't want Captain Marvel." And, "You're not having my Captain Marvel - Look, she's holding Goose!"
I can honestly say I have never been in a cinema with so much audience participation before! The atmosphere was electric and together we laughed, cried, clapped and cheered! No spoilers here, but I was transfixed during the whole film. It didn't feel like three hours at all and, although it had as much going on as Infinity War, it felt so much slicker. It was most definitely a very worthy ending to these films that have been a big part of my life for the last 11 years.
I also wanted to shout out to my fellow Animas Avengers. I am renowned for going to the cinema on my own. You don't go to the cinema to chat and I just want to be able to enjoy the film without having to be sociable. I know, I must be a delight to be friends with. Having said that, it was such an honour to share this experience with these wonderful creatures. I love them all 3000!
I went to see it again the next evening - not a peep out of anyone. No clapping. Not even at that moment. You know the one. Peasants!
April ended on a high after the mixed emotions that Endgame brought. On Tuesday Mum and I went to see Michael Ball at the London Palladium. She has adored him for YEARS, but this is the first time she's seen him live.
While I wouldn't go out of my way to see him in concert, I have to say that it was an amazing show and couldn't resist from getting up and dancing to 'You Can't Stop The Beat' from Hairspray. He saved the best until (nearly) last though when he came back on at the end to sing 'Love Changes Everything'. It's Mum's fave, but chokes me up every time I hear it.
Now April is over and all I keep wondering for the month ahead is, how many times can I watch Endgame at the cinema before it becomes too many?
