Honesty is the best policy.

So I'm quite sure that everyone knew as I did that this weeks blog wouldn't hold good news on any front! But I do feel in these situations honesty is the best policy; its very hard to be mean and cross with someone who is telling the truth I find. For me this approach always works at Fat club weigh ins; get it out there before you get on the scales tell them you've been bad and they seem to be a bit more understanding when its revealed you have put weight on!

So here goes on the stats for this week:
Running - 6 miles! 3 inside 3 outside - both runs horrid and hard due to the lack of exercise over the past week and the over indulgence in all things Christmasy!!
Weight - now for those of you that like me have ever attended fat club two things get you off putting weight on at the weekly weigh in! Your period - a given fat week if ever there was one! And Christmas! In fact I've even been there when people who have only put on a pound or half a pound get a clap for being so good over the festive season! So as I announce I am now 10 Stone 4lbs I am pulling both excuses out of the bag and giving myself a little fat club applause for only putting on 2lbs - a feat you will understand once you've read the next section of this blog!
Alcohol Units = Lots! How many units are in a bottle of champagne!? 4 of which I have consumed in the last week alone not mentioning other versions of alcohol drinks and I'm sure the trifle knocked up a unit or two as well as a few calories and some saturated fat to go! But this week holds in it the dreaded date:- January the second! When all alcohol consumption will cease on my part until I have completed the London Marathon! Which for new comers is what this blog is all about! - My journey to the London Marathon. I know amongst all the shopping and drinking and weight loss/gain it must be tricky to read between the lines and remember that is actually what I am documenting at times!

For me the past week has obviously been one in which little running has happened; however this is not to say thoughts of the marathon and planning have been halted. I tried the new sports bra - which is rubbish! you get what you pay for! I learnt this lesson years ago with my normal wardrobe its just a hard lesson to learn with sports kit as it is all so unattractive and not something I would even consider purchasing so I have never learnt the shopping rules for this breed of clothing! However my lovely friends and family have saved me from the perils of sale shopping for sports wear by gifting me in this department this Christmas! My Lovely Aunty Sheila has given me a number of items of running wear to try out - most notably a super new 'see you in the dark keep you warm' running top which I'm sure will improve my running; and a 'hold you breasts in place' top which is better than a sports bra apparently - I'll let you know when I've tried it! - And my lovely Glamazon friends who treated me to Stella McCartney sports wear!!! Oh My God it is actually attractive!!! And I think my whole outfit for the actual marathon might be made by Stella McCartney! This may be a sports sale worth visiting!! Only problem is my trainers don't match it but I'm sure I can find a pair that do between now and April. Not that I want to own two pairs of trainers but the ones I have now will be rather shabby by race day and might ruin the overall look of the outfit so could justify a second purchase in the footwear department; especially as there will be photos being taken on race day.

This week I will mostly try to do more running and will be testing out the clothes whilst drinking as many units of alcohol as I can before January the 2nd! ....

Best Supporting Actress

This week I BOUGHT A SPORTS BRA!!! Finally I won't have to sign off with this week I will try to buy a sports bra! It is not pretty – see photo & Yes it was 70% off. I am not prepared to part with too much hard earned cash for such an ugly item of clothing!- but hopefully will become a best supporting actress to my leading lady!! And amazingly I didn't buy anything else in that shop at the same time – although maybe not so amazing when you consider the only offering was sporting equipment of kinds!

So this weeks statistics:
Running = 5 miles inside 7.5 miles outside! All in the running shoes no high heels in these Arctic climates; but running outside this week I have realised I require a little more kit to deal with the English weather during my training – A hat and gloves for starters; but with the Jolly Red fellow popping in at the end of this week I may just get what I need then. So will hold of on the shopping front until January, when if Mr Claus doesn't come good I can a least buy the ugly essentials at discounted prices!.
Weight: 10 Stone 2lbs!! Yes I am putting my weight on the internet for all to see; my new plan is I will be so ashamed to have to admit to the world each week I'm still a 10 stone pounder of the pavements that it will inspire slimming on my behalf and possibly make me think twice about having Quality Street for breakfast. And as I'm married its not like I have to worry about Boys seeing my weight and not wanting to snog me on a Friday night; Although if I do get thin this could become a problem I may have to worry about!?! And to be fair its not like you can't all see how big/small I am from the photo's I dress my weight well as Gok would say – but no outfit is that good!
Alcohol Units: A few – this will stop completely in January – the 2nd to be exact but again by having this as a section I can be shamed back on to the wagon by my followers if I do fall off or indeed get run over by said wagon in the New Year!!

The 5 miles done inside was done in 53minutes which I am particularly proud of – I need to get faster outside. I think the Stella performance inside was heavily aided by the last two episodes of 'Sex and The City' Series 6. I'm not sure why I didn't think to watch this before whilst running inside as this series has often helped me through a tricky point in the past. Breaking up; breaking Down; Moving cities; moving out of the city; being Home sick; being sick of home! And again it came good for me 53 minutes of Carrie and the girls talking through there problems with fashionable flare only Patricia Field can pull off! I forgot how much I loved this and think I may start doing a few runs a week with the girls – not sure how I can get this into the outdoor training or indeed on the marathon course – If i-pods are banned I'm sure portable DVD players might be frowned upon – as I think are Wheelie trainers and Roller skates!!

As this week holds Christmas in its sights I don't hold out much hope for next Mondays blog being a shinning report of running prowess! I will however try my hardest and wish you all a very happy Christmas – Eat, Drink and be Merry. I know I will its my last chance before January the 2nd comes...

Oh and lastly, as a Christmas gift I have added some photos to the old blogs – enjoy a giggle at my expense with a glass of mulled wine. x x x

'I'd like to thank everyone I've ever met'...

This week my running mileage = 0!! But my fund raising = £1216.36p and rising! So many thanks to all who came and supported the Christmas Gift Fair. I apologise in advance for all those who normally tune in on a weekly basis for a giggle but this weeks blog is a big old thank you fest!!

As Kim Basinger said when she received her best supporting actress Oscar 'I'd like to thank everyone I've ever met' Indeed there seems to be too many people to thank following this weeks Fund raising Christmas Gift Fair to mention them all; but I'm going to give it a go so please forgive me if I miss anyone out it isn't intentional!!
So in Alphabetical order:

Ali McDanileson - Thank you for tirelessly making the beautiful stuffed hearts - I tried to make some and its impossibly fiddly! - And for coming along and selling Tom's Stunning silver jewellery.

Amy Wooster - Thank you for bringing your beautiful Jewellery; selling lots and donating to the charities. Amy makes the most amazing jewellery from vintage pieces. Her creations are amazing and I hope at least one family member present on Sunday bought me a piece for Christmas - any girl getting one of those on Christmas morning will be thrilled!!!

Ann Swan - Sadly Ann couldn't join us on Sunday as she was unwell - Get well soon Ann - But she still managed to donate two beautiful pieces of her work for the hottest ticket in town raffle - A stunning print and vase. Thank you very much Ann.

Becky Elliot- Queen of the stalls; I think you sold things on three stalls throughout the day! And defiantly the highest spender of the day, Thank you for working your socks off and emptying your purse!!

Beth Rivett & Sarah Allam - My dearest tea ladies - I think the reason the tea did so well is due to the hot tea ladies poring a cuppa!!! - Again I have a picture to upload! - You were Trojans of the tea trade selling out of soup and dealing with 'a access all areas incident' in the kitchen without any fuss, bouncer Beth to the rescue!!!

Catherine Woosley - Thank you for the fantastic box of children's books - all very popular with the shoppers on Sunday

Darren Burbidge - Thank you for giving up your bed to accommodate all the other workers; thank you for making so many beautiful handmade festive decorations; you cleaned up with the wreaths and willow stars - orders still being taken with all donations going to Cancer research UK & WHSmith trust. I love you muchly for coming and helping even though you'd had surgery on Thursday!!!

Dave Woodhouse - Thank you for the donation of lovely new books that flew out of the doors on Sunday.

Elspeth Dougal - Thank you for donating three beautiful signed books - that helped bring in the fabulous amount of money raised by the raffle - the JLS book was highly sought after by many! money changed hands and deals were done with the official winner!

Gavin Moss – Thank you for making a sell out soup even though you had a weekend full of events! And the best brownies in the west in my opinion!!

Hannah Davies - Thank you for bringing 'I Love you a Whole Clock' cards to the fair - again a popular stall making a fabulous donation to the funds; Her creations are so original it feels as if you're getting your very own personalised card - as I did on Sunday, must load picture for all to see as its fabulous! All those who purchased a 'Merry Kissmass' card were on to a winner as they sold out!!!!

Henrietta Emery - The Raffle surpassed all expectations in sales - again helped by a hot girl in wet look leggings I feel. Thank you for your help Hen!

Jane Moss - Where to start! Thank you for making the signs; taking the posters round to shops; pubs; schools and church. Thank you for being there all day on Sunday, making tea, washing up, selling things, taking people to the train station, helping me pack it all away; being the charity treasurer, and generally being the fabulous person you are Thank you - Enjoy Lanzarote you deserve it!! I promise I'll have Christmas all wrapped up when you return!

Kelly Smith - Thank you to Kelly and Ginghams of Devizes for donating the beautiful off cuts of fabric I was meant to make decorations with. The donation hasn't gone to waste I will be making them for the next fair - more time and patience is needed on my behalf however - an especially big thank you for organising it all just weeks before you're due to give Birth – Congratulations to Kelly, Kevin and Sam who welcomed a beautiful baby girl – Lilly – at 18.30 today weighing an impressive 7lbs 13ozs!!

Kevin Hawkins - Thank you for the bumper box of cookery books - a perfect present for anyone that cooked up a storm at the sale on Sunday - excuse the pun I'm running out of different ways to say thank you.

Lee's Jewellers - Another big thank you goes to Stuart and his team for all their help and support; firstly promoting the gift fair - and donating the beautiful Forelli links bracelet for the raffle. Lee's offer the most fantastic service to brides to be I couldn't have got married without them, check out their site at: http://www.leesjewellers.co.uk/your sure to find the perfect bit of sparkle for the one you love!

Margaret Alison - Thank you for the very kind donation of a beauty voucher for the raffle - someone is in for a treat this Christmas! That is if they don't go for the waxing!!!!!

Martine Wester - Defiantly one of the most sought after raffle prizes a big thank you to the amazing jeweller Martine Wester for donating such a beautiful Earring and bracelet set - check out Martines blog at: http://martinewesterblog.blogspot.com/ to see more of her designs and get the latest updates from her.

Mick & Maureen Burbidge - thank you for all your help setting up the hall and tidying it away again!! and for the raffle prize we certainly had a fantastic offering of raffle prizes!

Sandra Church - For all her baking and support through raffle prizes and much purchasing!! I don't think there was anything Sandra didn't buy!!! So a big thank you to Sandra & her son Simon who came to help set up at 9.30 and was still helping at 6pm!!!!

Sheila Moss - Thank you for the amazing home-made mince pies they were gobbled up quick-fast by the tea drinkers!! I'll make sure the tray gets back to you before Christmas!

Sue Doel - Thank you for making the most amazing Easter cake and scrummy Victoria Sandwich - they were so popular I didn't get to try them!! And for coming with your whole family even though it was cold and horrid and the little girls are under the weather! You are a lovely friend.

The George & Rowde - thank you as always for your support; the fantastic team at the G&D never fail to support a villager - or ex-villager - when they need it. Contributing both a incredibly generous raffle prize - a meal for two at the restaurant - and coming along and selling their delicious produce & Hampers. If you have someone impossible to buy for you can't go wrong with a voucher for the G&D: http://www.thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk/

Urban Rustics - A big thank you to Kate and Chris for your tireless publicising of the fair - and the yummy scrummy Candle you donated for the raffle! Devizes own personal Christmas shoppers there isn't anyone they can't help you find a gift for: http://urbanrustics.co.uk/

WHSmith - A big thank you to the toys department for donating the fantastic Rory the Race car race track for the raffle; and to the Kids department for the fantastic children's books donated. Finally thank you to the home team Michael & Sarah for donating so many wonderful home and cookery books; and for coming along to support me it was lovely to see you on Sunday Thank you!

Woolf & Bean - A massive Thank you to Joanna and all the Woolf and Bean team for all your help and support. Both in the Run up to the fair promoting, the stand at the fair and the beautiful Raffle prize you donated. All the best dressed are dressed by Woolf and Bean for that extra bit of glamour this Christmas pop along to Woolf & Bean: http://www.woolfandbean.com/ I can highly recommend the floor length gold sequinned skirt!

And finally to everyone that came and supported me! Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Wealthy 2010!!!!!

Oh and still no Sports Bra!! Didn't have time - this week much more running than last week - shouldn't be hard!! - and the purchase of a sports bra are my objectives!!!

Road Kill

So this week the new £90 running shoes did me well on the running front.
4 runs outside of 3-4 miles each, none inside which is odd as it did rain a lot this week; although I did buy a new running coat on Wednesday so that may have had something to do with the extra road time. I always have been terrible about wanting to wear my newest piece of clothing/ Pair of shoes as soon as I have them out of the shop!
No Sports Bra though – I did go to buy a sports bra – but came away with a coat. Another problem of mine when it comes to shopping; I'm not brilliant at getting just what I went in for.
Take for example my quick trip into Woolf & Bean to talk about things for the Gift Fair (Christmas Gift Fair, this Sunday 11am – 4pm at Rowde Village Hall, shopping has never been so virtuous and there is cake!) and came out with a gold sequin floor length skirt with a train. I may wear it to the sale on Saturday; so as you can see I can always find a way of making a purchase fit the original brief, ish!!!

This week my Marathon attempt was nearly quashed completely by a frog! I'm not talking the kissing frogs looking for prince charming kind; I'm talking proper actual wildlife. The small, looks a bit like a leaf on the floor squidgy kind of frog!!!!
So there I am running (fast walking/jogging/waddling) along the bypass in my new running shoes – which I might add I have become a little precious about getting dirty! - singing in intervals when I can breath to the beats of footloose throbbing out of my headphones; when I step onto a frog.
A frog! A frog that squealed – did anyone know they did that? - urghhh and just made the horriblist feeling under my foot! I nearly had a heart attack and got run over simultaneously whilst trying to escape nature. Off I hop into the road where a poor chap driving a green car narrowly avoided my sizeable derrière as it schoched into the road and away from the injured frog! After placing myself back onto the pavement fast breathing and hopping away from the scene of the crime the frog is nowhere to be seen and I am unsure if I can finish the run! I did at this point consider ringing Speedy to ask him to come and get me in the car; I wasn't sure my un-exercised heart could take another shock from nature that night! But no I thought one little frog and a near death experience is not going to stand between me and the finish line! So a quick flick through the i-pod; the soundtrack of 'Confessions of a Shoppaholic' on and I ran home (Power walked, eyes on the floor the whole time checking for critters!) where a well earned bath and glass of wine was had.
This week as well as a sports bra – which still needs to be purchased – I think I am going to find a torch! As most of the running is done outside I think I'd like to see what's lurking in the bushes from now on!

Looking forward to a day of shopping & raising lots of money for the charities on Sunday; hope to see lots of you there! All are welcome so please bring a friend...

Fantasia - The Dance of the Hippos!!!

So last week was the week I got real proper running shoes - trainers!!!!
My lovely friend from work Atlanta has been trying to get me out running and finally after much "but I don't have the right kit" excuses; she dragged me to the running shop on Thursday lunchtime to get the right kit!!!
So gold daps in bag - in case I needed flat shoes for the tests they do - off we popped to the running shop!
The very understanding and lovely man at Run Swindon asked me what running I had done before? Answer - none; actually whilst we're on it no exercise before this!! What was I running in at the moment? Answer - a combination of these, gold daps and some pink running shoes that I don't like? "Right" said the lovely man "lets try on some trainers and get you on the running machine" !!!!
Now at this point I'm looking around the very nice shop thinking there is nothing here I like and please dear lord don't make those trainers over there be the ones for me!!! To say this shop was a new experience for me was an understatement. And the tests on my feet for size and well shape I suppose take me back to the scary foot measuring machines at clarkes when I was a small person.
Neutral ugly trainers on – video camera ready to go, yes video!!! this whole experience is quite terrifying, I haven't been filmed willingly since I was about 13 in the school production of Joseph - and there I am standing on a running machine in black tights; a floral warehouse dress & giant black beads; oh and did I mention ugly trainers!! And I'm running; well waddling/mincing.
Horror of all horrors watching the film back all I'm thinking is that I look like one of the hippos from Fantasia, skippy and all TuTu'd up. At this point the lovely man is explaining runningy type things: gaits, toes, feet, angles etc etc.. and the next pair of trainers go on and we repeat the running. This time without the necklace. The giant beads are a bit bumpy whilst running. These trainers are better - they look much nicer on the video, the soles are pretty and they are a colour combination I can work with - luckily the lovely man also thinks they are good! but he wants to try one more pair to see..
Oh Dear Lord - Lovely man even if these are the best trainers in the world there is no way on hells earth I am wearing these ever, they are the ugliest things I have ever seen ever ever ever!!!!
Phew they are not the best! So to the till I go with the 'White with turquoise and silver detailing trainers'
£90!!!!! £90!!!!! And with the shock the words "I have never spent that much on ugly flat shoes before" fell out of my mouth. Poor lovely man, I don't think he knew what to do! So he threw in special socks! And I didn't have the heart to tell him they didn't match my trainers! Note to self go and find special socks that match your new running shoes.
So new running shoes purchased, what difference did they make?
Well this week unlike last week I managed three 4/5k runs in the gym and 4 miles outside!!!! toes a bit tingly but legs and feet don't hurt now so bodes well for the training.

This week I must run lots mid week as we have friends staying; I must try not to drink too much!! - and I must go and buy a sports bra - Why all running related products have to be so ugly I don't know - any tips on where I find a pretty sports bra let me know????

Stopped dead by Mick Hucknall....

This week has been a light week on the training front to say the least! I have however learnt some valuable lessons!

Lesson 1. Trainers a few times a week for running isn't enough flat shoe wearing when preparing for a marathon! In pilates this week I could have cried when we stretched out Achilles tendon! I don't have one - the ones I have are so short from all my Running in Heels over the years flat shoe wearing is painful painful painful!! so start slow - one day a week I will be wearing flat shoes to work from now on - This weekend I will be buying flat shoes!

Lesson 2. Get better with modern technology!! To say I'm technologically inept is an under statement - given time I can manage simple things, turning a computer on; blogging; facebook; shopping on-line! - but when it comes to gadgets I'm at a loss. Take for example the i-phone - other MP3 thingys are available I'm sure - I managed to make it work even got some songs on it. However was stopped dead in my tracks by the occurrence of Mick Hucknall singing 'Something got me started' halfway through my run! Downloaded as a soundtrack for my parents 25th wedding anniversary party last year I have no idea how to get it off again!! So as well as flat shoe wearing I will mostly be reading the manual...

Lesson 3. Drinking is not good for training - water is obviously fine but I'm not talking water here - Three bottles of Pink champagne on Saturday night with the clicky girls and my Sunday run was long gone! in fact Sunday was long gone by the time I had cured the hangover with a MacDonalds and mooched round the Supermarket with Sue, Whiz & Woo!! So this week I will mostly as well as flat shoe wearing and manual reading try to not drink alcohol!!!!!

Thank fully no horrid running photos this week!

Fingers crossed for a more successful week this week on the physical side of things.....

Road Runner.. meep meep!!!!!

Firstly Charcoal Grey is out for the running outfit; According to Jo the reason everyone wears Black is because it’s the only colour the sweat patches don't show up on!! So an outfit rethink is required...

Having been terrified by Jo & Robin telling marathon horror stories last night over dinner; I attempted a run with Jo this morning - the first ever outside experience for me! Oh Dear lord road running is so much harder than the gym; it’s not air conditioned; there is no music; and The Eastenders omnibus isn't being played on the TV screens. A walk in the park for Miss Chicago/New York & Paris Marathons under her belt!!! 3 miles ish in 45 mins lots of walking and this is what I looked like when I got home... Jo did come with me; even if it looks like she hasn't run an inch!!

A Big thank you to Jo for being so patient and going so many useful hints and tips for my training.
I think you'll all agree the dog looks far cuter in running clothes than I do!!!!

1st Running in Heels Fundraising Event

Keep the date free Sunday the 13th of December 11am - 4pm.

I'm holding a Christmas Gift Fair - come and pick up those last presents needed; have a cupcake and a coffee.

We'll be selling Beautiful new books - cookery; sports books; Children's books - and more. Plants and planters; handmade cards; Jewellery; Hats & Gloves; Home wears & Decorations.

With stalls by the Glamazons that are Urban Rustics http://urbanrustics.co.uk and the delicious offerings of Woolf & Bean http://www.woolfandbean.com so you'll be sure to find that perfect gift you still missing.

Please come along and join us and help raising money for such a worthy cause - Shopping has never been so virtuous!!!!!!

Shopping with a side of running.

So running shoes purchased and a little bit of quick walking under my belt my thoughts have turned to what I will wear on race day. The running shoes unfortunately have pink on them which wasn't what I had planned but the nice boys at the running shop didn't have any trainers in the colours I wanted that were right for my feet.

I didn't realise before I begun this process how important the right running shoes are; having run up the high street - like a Barbie apparently - I was shown the shoes that were right for my style of running. So £'s lighter and 1 pair of ugly shoes later my feet are sorted and ready for training.

According to the marathon preparation advice thing I've found cotton is not good to run in; so my TopShop 3/4 leggings are out and I need to find some nice running trousers and a top. I was thinking of Charcoal Grey with a highlight of Turquoise - everyone wears black and white - but the pink running shoes have flawed my plan. maybe the pink ones will be training running shoes and I can look for ones to match my outfit for race day....

Tomorrow I will make my first attempt at running outside - with a marathon runner!!!!! Lets hope the weather is simpathetic to my needs..

Running for Beginners

I am running the London Marathon - well I have a place! Running at this point is debatable!!

I wanted to do something I don't think I can do; and I wanted to raise as much money as possible for my chosen charity - breakthrough cancer UK.Cancer is touching all too many of us; and will continue to do so unless we support these amazing charities who battle everyday to find a cure and help those fighting cancer.

The decision to run the London marathon, in order to achieve these goals was perhaps one made in haste; I cannot run. None the less the place is confirmed and now I must get a plan in place to complete it! In my blog I will be bitterly honest about my training and experiences, in the hope that people may see what a challenge it is I'm undertaking and sponsor me.
Donations and Sponsorship can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Burbidge and Thank you in advance for anything you give.

So Running for beginners.... and when I say beginner I mean beginner - so far in my life I barely run for a bus let alone have the ability to run 26.2 miles; I walked at least 3/4's of the race for life course and the only form of running shoe I own is a lovely pair of Emma Hope Gold snake skin daps bought for my wedding day - not to wear down the aisle - to have breakfast in -



so probably the best place to start trainers....