And as quickly as it's begun...

... this particular journey is coming to an end.  My marathon journey, that is.  And only for the time being, I'm definitely not done with it. However, my hamstring injury is not healing as fast as expected, and even though some people are saying that I could still do it, I don't want to. I don't want to have to push and feel the pressure of time, I want to actually enjoy the journey - as much as that is possible ;-) So I'm going to focus on healing and looking after myself for now.
I'm also going to focus on my family. There's stuff going on with one of my girls, and we're not sure what it is, but it is making life a little challenging. So it is probably for the best that I'm not out running all the time, stressing about fitting my training in, but instead being available for this really pretty amazing kid who's having a tough time.

I will try and keep popping in here from time to time if and when I've got crafty stuff to share, and I shall leave with a picture of a cheery, colourful crochet mandala: 

This was made for Yarndale, following Lucy's (Attic24) call to crochet mandalas for a wall display at this year's festival.  The response has been amazing, there are several boards on Pinterest showcasing the mandalas that have arrived from all over the world - pure colour joy and inspiration! :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Best laid plans and all that...

I had the best intentions, as usual, to post more regularly... In my defence, things are slightly topsy-turvy here at the moment! ;-)  Eldest daughter is in S4 at high school and currently sitting the new National 5 exams. This means that her schedule is rather erratic - some days she is in school actually sitting exams, some days she's in school for an immersion day (intensive revision) and yet other days she's at home, (supposedly) revising.  Add to that the spring Bank Holiday weekend with two days off for the other two, a podiatrist appointment in town for yours truly, frequent trips to the gym - and what little routine I have during the week went completely out of the window!

This also means that I have only got one PAD contribution (for both Day 4 - Us and Day 5 - 4pm) to share for the whole week - tut tut! On Monday, hubby and I went on a wee excursion to Falkirk, to look at The Kelpies - recently unveiled, huge sculptures of horses' heads. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but I was fairly impressed in the end!  The size of the sculptures is rather awe-inspiring, and I think they look quite attractive, too :)

As regards my marathon journey, today marks the official start date of my 20-week training programme. However, instead of lacing up my running shoes and pounding the pavement for 4 miles, I have been to the gym again, following my recovery programme. It is a little frustrating, but recovery and healing is what I need to focus on just now.  There is light at the end of the tunnel: the podiatrist, who I saw last week, fitted me with orthotic insoles and said I should try short warm-up running exercises and maybe a very short and gentle run.  So far, I haven't dared, for fear of making things worse, but I will give it a go tomorrow morning.  Fingers crossed!!
Also, you might be glad to hear that the foam roller and I haven't completely fallen out but are in the process of making up ;-) Things are getting ever so slightly easier and ever so slightly less painful :)  Baby steps, people, baby steps!

Back already!

Just in case you missed me ;-) Today's prompt for FMS Photo-A-Day is "Snack":

Cashews have always been a favourite of mine, and I'm trying to opt for nuts and fruit more and more in an effort to improve my diet.  Another journey, on which I had come quite far until last autumn, and then started walking backwards. Right now, I think it's a case of three steps forward, two steps back...

There's nothing much to tell regarding my main journey, my marathon journey, only that my new best friend, the foam roller, and I are going to fall out very soon, of that I'm sure! He's no friend - he is pure torture! I had no idea how sore parts of me could feel under his pressure, parts that I'm normally not aware of at all. Rolling up and down the side of my thigh, wincing, and eldest  daughter declares me crazy, because I am willingly putting myself through this. I can only hope that the old saying of "No pain no gain" will hold true...

On a totally unrelated note, here's some crochet spring prettiness :)

 

The wee mandala was made following Barbara's pattern here.  I've always thought it's really pretty and finally got round to making my own one.  Looks nice under the vase of tulips, too!

New Beginnings?

It seems to be time for a fresh start.  This blog has been too quiet for too long. And now I'm embarking on a new, exciting and rather scary journey, which makes me think I should maybe journal and document it here and thereby hold myself accountable!  Well, I'm going to give it a right good go at least!!!

So, my new journey will be training for my first ever marathon! I am both hugely excited and utterly terrified! I have signed up for the Loch Ness Marathon at the end of September, and training is due to start a week on Monday.  BUT...  I have gone and injured myself, strained my hamstring...  And I haven't run in nearly two weeks, and my leg hurts.  I have had sports massage, I will go and see a podiatrist, I have joined a new gym, I'm applying ice packs daily and the foam roller is my new best friend. 
Today, I decided, is going to be the start of my journey.  Not a week on Monday, or two weeks on Monday, whenever I start running again, but today, when I went to the gym for a training programme and had exercises worked out for me to help along my recovery.  It's all part of the process.  (Plus, it's the first of May, which fits with new beginnings rather neatly :))

I'm also going to try and play along with Fat Mum Slim's Photo-A-Day Challenge, to help document and share my journey.  Today's prompt:
Begins with J... - you guessed: JOURNEY ;-)

So here's to new beginnings, and exciting journeys.  And probably some of the good old crafty stuff thrown in for good measure ;-)