life – Adventures of Cumbrian Blondie

Lockdown – Light at the end of the tunnel

In a speech to the House of Commons on 22nd February the prime minister gave details of the government’s road map for exiting the current lockdown in four stages, subject to four conditions being met at each stage.

This was such welcome news as I for one was struggling with the lockdown. Being a planner, it is so hard to plan when you have no idea of time frames. Boris Johnson said that although the threat “remains substantial,” the “extraordinary success” of the covid-19 vaccine programme led by the NHS, alongside falling infections and hospital admissions, meant that a cautious lifting of restrictions was now possible.

Whilst this is a sensible plan, and people became instantly obsessed with the dates and ignored the phrase “at the earliest”. I may be pessimistic but I think the dates with be extended as some has just ignored the lockdown restrictions. A friend posted on Twitter that a couple had travelled up from Portsmouth this weekend and found them camping in her field. What is wrong with people. I keep also hearing the phrase “oh it’s boring so we went for a drive for a change of scene” I find it baffling, I have found the restrictions tedious, there is a well walked path on the usual dog routes from my house. Whilst the weather was good, it was a shame not to enjoy the higher fells but we have been asked to respect the lockdown. I for one would rather not contract COVID and worse case scenario die.

Our business like many is intrinsically link to the hospitality sector being open. Having the restrictions lifted so we can get back to a sense of normality. It feels surreal that it has been a year since the impact of COVID. As attention starts to shift towards when and how the lockdown exit will be implemented, one thing is for sure our home county of Cumbria will be extremely busy.

The business support grants and furlough have been a lifeline for our business and lets hope Chancellor, Rishi Sunak will continue to deliver an adequate level of support in next week’s Budget announcement (March 3).

The light at the end of the tunnel has been officially switched on.

Lockdown 3.0

For the last 3 weeks all we have heard is Happy New Year! But somehow, it doesn’t really feel like a ‘new year’ does it? Starting off 2021 in Lockdown was not how we all planned it to be. By now, we are all aware that the world has changed dramatically. We have adapted to furlough schemes, shops being closed, schools moving to online learning and of course, sourdough starters and banana bread.

Lockdown 2.0

With the second wave of Covid-19 taking over the country. Lockdown 2.0 the sequel is here.

Hoka’s

When I started running back in 1996, I was an ASICS girl. When I was training for the London Marathon in 2015, I was noticing I was getting hot spots on the balls of my feet. Graham at the Body Rehab said you should really try Hoka’s. Pronounced ‘Oh-nee’, this is a brand developed in 2010 by two Frenchmen who previously worked at Salomon, searching for a modern trail shoe to play in on the Alps mountain paths. The wide sole is based on powder skis and mountain bike tyres.

Lockdown Lethargy

So here we are week whatever of lockdown, the elusive ‘R’ number is still around 1 and the world as we know it is a much different place. There does feel to be a light at the end of the tunnel as we navigate our way out of lockdown.

Surviving lockdown

On Monday 23 March 2020 Boris Johnson ordered people not to leave the house unless absolutely necessary. People to only go out to shop for essentials; for medical reasons or to care for the vulnerable; to travel to work that is “absolutely necessary” and cannot be done at home; and to exercise – once a day, alone or with a member of their own household. Normality as we had known was a thing of the past. Continue reading “Surviving lockdown”

Postponement

That moment when the inevitable happened and the London marathon was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Of course with the current situation it was not completely unexpected. Those training weeks in limbo, but 9 weeks of training were done and you have to focus on that. Gaining fitness and losing inches. Continue reading “Postponement”

Adoptive northerner

April 2020 marked my 30 year anniversary of moving up north and to Kendal. It feels like a lifetime ago and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have lived here longer than I haven’t.

Continue reading “Adoptive northerner”

Week 9

Not a great start to the week, luckily it was a less intense week of training. Mind was on overtime with work. Trying not to compare myself to others, seeing what everyone else is doing in the run up to london marathon.

The end of the week was better, back on track, runs completed. Felt much better and happy. Also lost another 2 inches when measured at Club, core and more.

Just need to hope that the current coronavirus doesn’t postpone the marathon!

Week 8

Another week and at the half way point, current status in a relationship with a marathon training plan. As I do every week, a check of the plan and see how I can fit in the weeks ahead training.

The week started off well and managed 2 runs with Annie who I’m running the marathon with. It was great running with her and getting her out running.

Had no time to fit in my long run so one day was a double run day. It’s not ideal as the point of long runs is to build endurance. But miles are better than none.

Managed 2 of 3 strength training classes. Sunday’s was a right off due to too much gin/wine consumed the night before! You’ve still got to have a life whilst training.