#FitB4Fifty Brathay 5k

I was lucky to win two entries to the inaugural 5 km race at the Brathay Marathon this month. We had to be there very early due to parking. It did mean that we got to watch the 10 in 10 marathoners set off on their 10th marathon in 10 days - can't imagine how they do it! Then they started walking the marathoners to the start and we followed in a long colourful crocodile:

Whilst the marathoners started off on their 26.2 mile journey around Windermere we were corralled next to the road. It meant that we could just about cheer them on:

Then it was our turn to hear the gun and head off up the road towards Hawkshead. It was a good mix of runners of all ages and abilities that ran up the lane. Unlike the marathoners we were turned off the main road and into Skelwith Fold Caravan Park. This turned out to be a twisty, turny part of the route with a lot of uphill... luckily lots of the residents were lining the roads to cheer us on. It was a relief to reach the halfway mark at the end of the park which meant that it would be down hill for much of the rest of the run.

Reasons to be cheerful: Running away... #R2BC

 
A slightly later than scheduled reasons to be cheerful this week as I had a much needed lie in! Last week's happy linkers included reasons such as job and couch to 5k, I wonder what this week will include? Any how here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) Proud mum

My son is doing really well in his running at the moment. He was 11th at the first BOFRA fell race last Saturday and then 2nd in a fun run at Brathay marathon on Sunday:

2) Flying Feet

On Sunday I took part in the inaugural Brathay 5k. It was a tough route with plenty of hills. I saved myself a bit for a glory run sprint finish. Made for an awesome official photo:

3) Girls' Night

My daughter and I joined the Aspergers' group at the pub again. It's a lovely social evening. Beforehand we had mucked about with snapchat to do those gender swap pics. This is me as a man and a woman:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Miles of smiles #R2BC

 
Welcome to reasons to be cheerful this week! It was very quiet on the linky last week so I hope more of the regulars are back this week... Reasons don't have to be massive to join in as its the little things that have made you smile that can shine out when the world seems a bad place. Any how here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) Doggy haircut
Sherlock had his first trip to the dog groomers so we can see his lovely big eyes again:

2) Chilling in the garden

After a car boot sale and mowing the lawn I enjoyed sitting in the sun in the garden enjoying an ice cold G&T:

3) Balloon surprise

At athletics training we had a bonus of a very low flying hot air balloon as they made the most of a stunning evening to fly over Kendal and the surrounding area:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Break Away #R2BC

 
Welcome to reasons to be cheerful this week! Lovely to read everyone's posts and look forward to more happy posts this week. Last weekend was spent at Rydal Hall with other single mums on a Single with Kids break. We had 3 fun days together which make up the majority of my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) A trail run
Some of the other mums also run so we went out at 8 on Saturday morning for a run along the coffin trail and back around Rydal Water. It was such a beautiful morning to take in the scenery in good company:

2) Beautiful location

Our accommodation was the bunkhouse at Rydal Hall which is in the grounds of the main house. In this photo it is the white building top right:

The children (and adults) were free to roam in both the formal and informal grounds which was perfect for a child friendly break.

3) Woodland surprises

My friend and I had fun on the sculpture trail looking for all the different sculptures and discovering all the hidden animals:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Merry Month of May #R2BC

 
I actually quite can't believe its May already, what on earth happened to April? Any how it's time for Michelle to have a break and my turn to be the host. In case you hadn't realised we have changed the day of the linkup to Saturday as with all our busy schedules our regular linkers voted for a change from Thursday. This may take some getting used to! 
Happy Star Wars Day and here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) Phone
Last week I had a disaster and knocked my phone down the loo... Unfortunately it didn't survive the experience. I have now got a new to me replacement which is in much better nick than my old one so I am so happy! Let's just hope I have no more tech disasters...
2) Bathroom
When we moved in the budget for decorating ran out and the bathroom had to be done in the left overs from my bedroom. The off white paint which looks nice in my room made the bathroom look drab and dirty. So I decided that after 4 years it was time to finally give it a mini makeover. The new teal is so bright, cheerful and fresh:

2) Running

For one reason or another I just hadn't been out running. So whilst my first coat of paint was drying I headed out along the old canal for 5km in glorious weather:

I really need to make sure I get out more regularly as my mood is so much better when I've running!

3) Home and Away