I know, I know… it’s very cliché to make that blogging restart again in January, but what can I say? I’ve been wanting to do this for a while but it’s not been *the best year ever* and I’ve just not had the bandwidth. So here we are. Unable to shut the blog down. because *reasons* and wanting to have the connections back with my blogging friends.
WELOME to Fit Five Friday with with your FIVE amazing hosts – me, My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher ! Feel free to join in on the fun! And head over here to join the Ultimate Coffee Date with other amazing, supportive and friendly bloggers.
Ultimate Coffee Date – January 2024 Kick Off
I know it’s been a while so I’ll try to catch up as concisely as possible, while trying to maintain a level of reasonable positivity;
If we were having coffee
I’d come right out and say it – work has been super difficult, not so much my actual job, but basically since being bullied in January, it’s not really improved. There are a few other factors as well that just make it unpleasant. I’m working on improving that situation, whether it’s internally or externally solved, I’m not sure yet, so watch this space.
I would of course ask you how it’s going for you and we could either commiserate on work situations / work stress or you’d probably be able to give me some good tips on how to survive in the meantime. I’m open!
If we were having coffee
I’d tell you I had a GREAT parkrun year. Not just with running my own local event but with being able to participate. I managed to run 13 times at my own event, and 25 parkruns in total which is kind of amazing when I’m very often volunteering instead of running. Of the 12 outside of my local, 7 were within the Netherlands, 3 were in Germany and 2 were in Italy. Back in June I also did a “not parkrun” in Paris at the location that was used for parkrun before the government but the events on hold. So yeah, it’s been an excellent parkrun year. My goal for 2024 would be 25 again, and hopefully catch up on the new ones – we have 20 now and the 21st is launching Saturday – plus do a few more in Germany and finally get a couple done in England.
I would then ask you if you’ve been able to try parkrun yet? Would it be something you were interested in? Or do you feel like Saturday morning is for something else?
If we were having coffee
I would definitely ask you how your fitness year was! My initial feeling is that mine wasn’t great but I think I need to really celebrate the successes I had. I had a goal to walk 1km (minimum) every single day for a year and I achieved that! In fact I walked 1031 kilometers last year which is well over the goal per day. I also had a goal to run one 5KM per week last year and since I was sick the whole month of January I had to change that to be the equivalent of 52 5KM runs. Astoundingly I accomplished this. This summer I also wasn’t feeling well physically so I missed a couple of weeks running. My total running mileage in any case was 510KM, quite low but to be honest it’s well over the 5 x 52 that was the goal, almost doubled, in fact.
I did go to the gym consistently for a couple of months, but burnt out pretty quickly. So I’m trying to find a balance in that respect. I also rode my bike some this year, but again less than “normal”. And I was on my spin bike a bit too, but again, not like in past years. I do think the stress and exhaustion are not helping me in this respect, which is wild because normally the exercise helps me COMBAT the stress.
I hope you had a good fitness year or, if you struggled, maybe you can share how you are working on creating a balance for yourself, or if you were injured or unwell how you were able to make it through? It’s nice to share ideas and tips with each other.
If we were having coffee
I’d ask you if you have any Big Hairy Goals this year! So far I haven’t really come up with anything yet. I think just being in a better work situation will free up some space in my head to think about other things. Tell me your aspirations! I can live vicariously through you!
If we were having coffee
I’d tell you I’m excited about the travel year ahead. Already we have stuff planned out until June! Planning weekends away and holidays gives me something to look forward. So far this year we’ve got:
- Jan – weekend in Vienna for Ron’s birtday
- Feb – 10 days to the US for my mom’s birthday
- March – a friend’s Big 60th birthday bash in England + Glasgow weekend to see Simple Minds
- April and part of May – Malaga with my dad and stepmom
- June – a wedding in York
Where are you going this year? Any big celebrations you are attending?
What else would you tell me over coffee?
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