This week the theme has been running adventures. Firstly my commute audio book is Coasting by Elise Downing, an account of Elise’s run around Great Britain. It’s such an engaging read and one of kindness and beauty. Earlier this year I finally read the Salt Path which left me feeling somewhat disappointed, and when the revelations about the couple came out all seemed my misgivings felt justified. Fortunately this is a much better book with a feel good vibe. I would really recommend a read.

The week has been pretty quiet, the return to school continues to go well and I do feel I’ve won the class lottery with my class and staff team this year. Tuesday nights remain my favourite with a quiet night in to watch the GBBO. Strictly did start last night but I’m not so keen on the launch show so only watched bits. As from next week I will be watching it intently. I’ve no favourite so far but I’m sure after the first few weeks I’ll be routing for someone, possibly whom I wasn’t expecting!

After a quiet week, I had running adventures planned for the weekend. My read didn’t inspire it, it had been planned for a few weeks and simply complemented my audio book. After a summer at my home run, it was time for a some parkrun tourism. Now, my parkrun friend and I have done all the runs in our county we have to look further for our trips and we chose Brockenhurst as their winter course is a lovely trail run around the New Forest. We had looked at doing it before but missed it as it finished early and with their summer course being 4 laps around a school file it didn’t inspire us to visit. I am so pleased we waited as it was a wonderful course, with ponies and a stunning autumn run. It’s already on the list to return it would look beautiful in all different seasons. As it was a 90 minute journey we stopped for a parkrun faff at the most brilliant cafe, a repurposed train station near the run. It was filled with lots memorabilia and looked idyllic. The coffee and cakes were top level too!

Today I did a long run in prep of my half marathon. I’ve had a major wobble in the past few weeks about the half marathon, cue looking up the cut off time, questioning my ability etc.. Now I’ve got a Garmin, I have been more aware of my times and distances and my confidence has dropped. I run in my local area which is very hilly and now I’m working full time my runs are fitted in to when I can do them. In the last few weeks, this means I’m running in the dark which slows me down too. After a reassuring chat with a running friend last week, I decided to travel over the water and run a long run along the promenade of which part is the half marathon course. It was the right environment to do a real practice, it was a great run and suddenly I feel ready and able to run the half. It was a stunning autumn morning and there were lots of distractions on the beach, yoga, lifesaving, frisbees, volleyball. Also nothing is better than running with the sun in your face, I had the added novelty of being a foot passenger on the ferry, not many runs start and end with a ferry ride. The boys were at football so had a lazy(ish) day after.

I say lazy(ish) as I don’t really do nothing . I popped to the dump with some rubbish and at their little shop I found an ergonomic chair for £5. I’ve wanted one of these for years but could never justify the cost. It is in brilliant condition and after steaming the fabric and polishing the wood, it’s now at my desk.

Now it’s time for a quiet week before a road trip to my parents at the weekend. The autumn does seem to be full of plans.