If I was Betty...I might start writing my blog again

Well it's been a while since I last logged into my blog and frankly it was quite a mission, considering all the variations on passwords etc that we have to remember in our 'modern' lives.

Anyway I back....

And so much has changed since I last wrote.

Firstly, after much consideration about trying to accept that my career here in London is that of a PA and that although I will always be a conservationist in my heart, that it's time to engage fully in my 'new' career. The only way to prove to myself that I could do this work was to get another job. I'd become comfortable in my first PA role and was easily able to handle the challenges thrown at me. It was time to head for the deep end. So, albeit it rather hesitantly, I applied for some PA roles, got an interview (or in this case 3 at the same company) and landed myself a new PA position. Of all things within in a financial company, who would ever have thought! But I hope to aspire to be a PA or Executive Assistant one day for a Conservation organisation, academic faculty or Charity NGO perhaps.

Secondly, I'm making my house a home! I took the plunge and have started decorating my home in the way I always imagined but just hadn't had the confidence to do so. Thank you to my creative friend for looking at my ideas and giving me the encouragement on what I could do with my little home. Admittedly I should have bought a larger roller, painting with this little one is hard work! But fun never the less, the sense of achievement is addictive.

And thirdly, talking about a sense of achievement, although my running took a bit of a nose-dive during the last 2 months due to life (or sorting out a new job) getting in the way. I've hit the comeback road literally and figuratively with great determination. My run club coach has talked me into doing a 10K run in November and some how that seems like a massive mountain but deep down I know that it is all mind over matter. There is certainly no reason why I can't do it! So it's time for some personal training to kickstart the process and then I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things. Wish me luck!

So here's to blogging again...regularly!

If I was Betty...I would be proud of climbing stairs

Perhaps you have wondered how the running was coming along. Well this determined tortoise is definitely on the up and up! One of the first sessions that I had at Run Club involved running intervals up and down a flight of stairs. And boy did it suck! On subsequent sessions that have involved the stairs, I have progressed from looking like I want to puke to pacing myself beautifully and completing all the required intervals... Who would have thought that I could be so proud of myself for climbing a set of stairs, but it's one uphill battle that I have conquered. And a big thank you to my fellow Run Clubbers who seemed to be just as thrilled as I was at my achievement and of course finishing the interval set at the top of the stairs, our coach couldn't help himself...and yes he inspired me to do that Rocky air punch!!

If I was Betty...I'd be proud of running 6km

So this running thing...

Although Saturday's session had me huffing and puffing to the point of wanting to feed the fishes in the Thames, I decided to be the determined tortoise and stick with it. By the end of the session I was feeling more confident and decided that I would give the Tuesday road running session a go.

I must be mad right?

Tuesday rolls around and I'm feeling apprehensive, which quickly changed to terrified when the instructors announced that we would be doing a 6km loop!!

What? You must be joking?

Off we set and before I knew it we were at Wandsworth Bridge...oh my goodness I just ran from Putney to Wandsworth! And once we crossed back over Putney Bridge on the home straight to the coffee shop meeting point. There was one hell of a stupid grin on my face! I had done it! OMG I had just run 6km! They speak of "runners high" and wow I was high. The excitement was tangible and I think both instructors just had to laugh at the expression on my face.

I'll be back at RunClub on Saturday morning for some more...

Bring it on!!

If I was Betty...I'd join a running club

I must be mad....determined but mad nevertheless! For crying out loud, I'm built for comfort not speed!!

Well that has certain the excuse that I have stuck to for most of my adult life...

But determined to get fit - think back to those New Years resolutions - argh!! So I've joined a local running club, with my first session at 10am tomorrow morning.

Let's take a step back, and let you in on a secret...my crippling fear is making a fool of myself in front of people. It has been the main reason why I trend to hold back. Having read "Yes Man" by Danny Wallace back in 2009, I had promised myself that I would not turn down invitations just because I'd be scared that I might end up embarrassing myself. I do have to give myself a pat on the shoulder that I've really tried to embrace the fear and bold go...celiah dancing; dressed up for fancy dress parties; tried bowling; walking on icy surfaces (think Bambi on ice, OK!) and oh my goodness here it comes...group fitness!!

I hate the gym, and I mean haaaaate!! Firstly why are there never any other people with curves and layers of cuddle. Why do I always feel like the only chubby one there. Secondly, gyms are boring! After 10 minutes, I'm done! So after numerous years of wasted gym memberships - I've gone outdoors!

I love the outdoors. I used to have a outdoor job that required me to have a certain level of fitness but I've been office-bound for the last 4 years and boy do I miss feeling the elements (I was going to say sunshine but I live in London so no-one would ever believe that I'd be bathed in radiant sunshine!)

Originally I looked at the boot camp option but somehow the idea of someone shouting at me with the distinct purpose of shaming me into physically exerting myself, really really doesn't appeal. I know that I need the motivation but the pure fear would override any exercise induced adrenaline.

I happened to post a "help" query on this new local neighbourhood site (Streetlife) and received a pleasant response from a personal trainer who was keen to start up a local running club. So bravely...I joined!

Petrified I rushed down to the local Sports Direct to find a suitable pair of tracky pants and Nike support top...I've got a sports bra hiding somewhere in my cupboard. Right now I look the part, albeit my clothes look so new that I'm still going to look like the beginner. Oh who am I kidding, when they see me "run" they will all know this isn't my natural form of movement!!

Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted on my progress as I suspect my fingers might be the only part of my body that I will be able to move afterwards.