After 2 days of child-minding (oh, and a HM), I’m testing out my legs. Tired but okay for a jog, and pleasing to realise that I can plod gently up Rest Hill Road without dying. Although the HR average was a bit higher than zone 2, most of it was under 150 and it all felt comfortable on the lungs.

Forest bathing with a gentle 4-mile run amongst scented pines. Hip/glute still an issue so I’ll need some advice, and as my half is only in two weeks, that is going to hurt. Plus getting menopause symptoms (broken sleep, hot flushes) since about two weeks ago 🤦🏽‍♀️ #runninginjuries #hemstedforest

Last Wednesday I managed an official road PB in a 5K - some of these interval runs are evidently paying off theleadlesspencil.org/2025/08/20/h... #ellesmereport5k #5krace #halfmarathontraining #coffeeandrunning

A lot of thoughts and memories went through my head as i read this book theleadlesspencil.org/2025/07/12/j... #fantasy #jrrtolkien #cslewis

Hay Festival - again it filled my cup theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/28/h...

West Highland Way In the Sun! theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w... theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w... theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w... theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w... theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w... theleadlesspencil.org/2025/05/14/w...

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/04/01/n... A cloudy day for our last day here, which was ideal for a run, but yesterday I did do some laps in the coldest outdoor pool I have ever put my toes in 🥶🥶🥶. #northcyprus

A bit of travelling again theleadlesspencil.org/2025/03/28/n...

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/03/23/l... Well it turned out nice in the end! #liverpoolhalfmarathon #traininggetsresults #perfectrunningweather

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/03/16/h... A terrific morning for a club run #bordersleague #running #halfmarathontrainning

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/03/10/h... It was a very warm day to do fourteen miles yesterday 🥵 #halfmarathontraining #jeffing

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/02/28/r... We should have watched two plays on this trip, but sadly our Edward II had to be cancelled, so it was just Hamlet in the end.

Having gone past this little carriage a gazillion times on my Stratford upon Avon runs, we have finally come to have a cup of tea in ‘Bobby’s’. #stratforduponavon #myhappyplace

Back in our happy place #rsc #rschamlet #stratforduponavon #hamlet #shakespeare

Another terrific bit of fun in the mud theleadlesspencil.org/2025/02/09/h... #halfmarathontraininginprogress #running #runningwithfriends

Slow read this one - or more like two fast bursts with a long gap in between. theleadlesspencil.org/2025/02/08/r... #rebeccafkuang #yellowface #bookreview

I should have written this two days ago but life got in the way. theleadlesspencil.org/2025/02/04/h...

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/01/26/h... #running #bordersleague #halfmarathon #halfmarathontrainingbegins

Memories of swimming in that hotel pool! But now, back to earth with a bump. theleadlesspencil.org/2025/01/19/a... #newyearsresolution #williachievemygoals #gottokeeptrying

The final days on the most amazing trip theleadlesspencil.org/2025/01/11/i...

theleadlesspencil.org/2025/01/04/i... #india #agra #tajmahal #agrafort #daytripper

Getting to meet just a few of the people living on the streets of Mumbai was intense but so interesting. theleadlesspencil.org/2025/01/02/i... #india #mumbai #homelessinmumbai #pehchanindia #kamlafoundation

Not enough hours in the day to have a holiday and write a blog but here’s another one finally. theleadlesspencil.org/2024/12/31/i... #india #mumbai #elephantaisland #guruwalk

Saree shopping theleadlesspencil.org/2024/12/28/i... #india #mumbai #sareeshopping

India - day one (a few days later) theleadlesspencil.org/2024/12/27/i... #india #mumbai

An early Christmas celebration, what with me popping on a plane on Monday. @nigella.bsky.social ‘s Christmas martinis. Verdict? Proper lush

A little bit late, but this is what I thought of the two plays we went to see in Stratford upon Avon last week. theleadlesspencil.org/2024/12/18/t... #shakespeare #rsc #twelfthnight #theredshoes #stratforduponavon

Little by little I am starting to love this fell running lark - even if I can’t breathe on the way up and am petrified on the way down. When it’s not a race but a lovely gentle trek with friends, then it’s even nicer. #running #runninginthehills #moelfamau #fellrunning #wales #cilcain

Rude not to when we are here on a Saturday. There was some beautiful scenery on this very flat Parkrun - not least the church under a crisp blue sky, but I had to get a shift on because we had a check out of 10 am. @stratforduponavon.bsky.social #parkrun #stratforduponavonparkrun #running

A lovely little jog along the old train line path, past the church where Shakespeare rests. It’s a flat run which makes a nice change from my part of the Wirral which is a tad more lumpy.

In our home from home @stratforduponavon.bsky.social , and in our happy evening spot, Vintner before we watch The Red Shoes tonight.

Trying to embrace the head condom in my aim to get better at swimming - I’m having swimming lessons in my fifties - managed about half a kilometre. The key to this, as like everything in life, is getting the breathing right. #swimming #learningwhenyoureolder #andbreathe

Our running club Christmas do where our London Marathon spot winner was of course awarded with a turkey crown! theleadlesspencil.org/2024/12/07/h...

Christmas has arrived in our house and I’m thinking I should partake of this indoor Christmas spirit instead of going out running in the wind and rain tonight 🤔 #runningmadness #christmasiscoming

Sometimes, if it’s raining, you just need to splash in the mud. theleadlesspencil.org/2024/11/23/b...