Reasons to be Cheerful Week 20 #R2BC

Diving straight in this week!
1) In the spotlight
The lovely Michelle has chosen to highlight my blog this week. It's really wonderful to have her choose me! I have been talking online with Michelle for years and it was this linky that helped turn my outlook around. Proof of the power of positivity!
2) Beautiful evenings
Our days have been pretty grey and wet but we have had beautiful bright evenings this week:

3) Star Walk

I have my t-shirt and hopefully I've done enough training to get me through the first 10 k I have ever attempted!

I have raised double my aim of £100 but if anyone wants to add to the sponsorship the just giving page is here.

4) Cumbaree

My son had a fab time at his first big event with Beavers. He did get a bit cold and wet but enjoyed seeing Bear Grylls from a distance. Receiving badges for the day made him even happier:

5) Back to normal

My daughter moved back home on Saturday and it is great having all the family together again (most of the time!). She has been at school for first time for a fortnight which is great news. It's all very tiring but good to see things back to normal.

Couch to 5 k Progress Report

Well I am now nearly through week 6 of my NHS choices couch to 5 k podcasts. They are really well put together to teach complete novices how to run. There is just enough talking for instruction and motivation with plenty of music to keep you going.

It now seems a long time since week 1 when I found the 60 second runs far too easy! Over the last 2 weeks the podcasts have had me doing things like a 20 minute continuous run or today two lots of 10 minutes. It doesn't even feel all that tough - except when battling against rain or cold winds...

I am now a familiar sight trotting around the roads and paths in Staveley in my luminous pink jacket! There is nearly always someone I know to encourage me on with a comment or even a beep on the horn. The fact I can record and share my progress on MapMyRun and I can see what I have done helps a lot too:

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

The village itself has plenty of beautiful views to inspire me with too. Its just such a shame that when I'm running I can't stop to take a photo... However when I'm on my warm up and cool down legs (or on the now redundant recovery section) I am only walking briskly and can snatch a few photos like these as I go:

Martins Bank 

Staveley Wood Turning Weir

St Margaret's Tower

St James' churchyard

View from Miles without Stiles bridge

I do have to remember that my goal from all this (apart from getting fit) is to raise £100 or more for CancerCare. Here's hoping that by May 18th I can complete the 10k Star Walk run and do my sponsors proud!

If any fitness and sports companies want to help me achieve my goal in return for an advert and plenty of mentions then follow the links up the top to e-mail me or find me on social media!