Hi all so first things first the Beard is coming along nicely and is what I would consider a proper beard now. Not quite the full Gandalf yet but someway past the Chuck Norris stage. A little grey in places and even some ginger in there but a fine effort for only about 5 1/2 weeks effort. If only I could grow hair on the top of my head as well!
It has been almost 3 weeks since I official left Essesx Fire and Rescue and it feels a bit weird, working for yourself does not make things any easier or make you work less hard but you are aware that you have to put the time in or you wont get results or paid!
Its been funny trying to get into any sort of routine and settle down to just working for myself, most of the race directing stuff is very bitty and an accumulation of lots of small jobs that add up to a lot of work. I am sure it will become more organised as I settle into some sort of pattern. BUT the reason I wanted to do this was also to have the flexibility to run when I wanted and travel and a better work/life balance. Things on that front are improving and after a really poor start to the year running wise I am finally getting to run most days now and building back up to some sort of fitness.
It will take a while but I have no excuse now about not having the time, ling runs is what I am lacking and I am starting to get those in again. Starting with last weekend when me and Maxine went and camped at Wallingford and ran 40miles on the Thames Ring 250 route in glorious weather as part of role as Race Director and planning that event.
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| Me and Maxine on the TR250 route |
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| Me running like I have had an accident! |
It was a great opportunity to give our new trailer tent a good test, I bought a box trailer and fitted it with some shelving and fitted our roof tent onto it. This means with all the it inside it all we have to do is hitch up and bugger off somewhere at a moments notice. its not luxury but its everything we need for a family camping holiday or just a weekend away running and the tent is very comfy.
We will give it another good test out this weekend as we head up Friday for a recce of the last section of the Lakeland100 race which me and Maxine are entered into as a pair. It will be a great way to get some hilly back to backs in on the course.
On a sadder note I have decided to pull out of the GUCR 145 miler which I absolutely love to bits but my present fitness means it would be a death march again and I really want to give it a good run the next time I run it. I have volunteered to run the CP at Springwell Lock at 120miles into the race and will be there supporting the race there with my Challenge Running team. It should be epic as usual.
So all is good with the world and although its a challenge leaving the Fire Service is at the moment feeling like the right decision with less stress and being my own boss feels better. Yes its still hard work and I am learning a lot but it will all be worth it in the end.
Till the next boring beard update……………..