What happened to summer?

This week, I’ve reluctantly resorted to switching on the heating for a couple of hours each evening. My stupid overly sensitive skin is already feeling a lot drier.

I’m aware I haven’t blogged for some time. Finding the enthusiasm to keep a running blog apparently isn’t that easy for me when I am injured and unable to run; again. After spending 9-10 hours a day writing scientific papers, I haven’t really felt like writing what would have inevitably been negative and moany blog posts.

You’ve had a lucky escape!

My right knee is now feeling 95 per cent fixed. I’m hoping I’ll be back running again this year.

Summer 2015 hasn’t all been bad. I’ve decided to be slightly lazy (because I only have 30 minutes to write this post) and to use some social media posts to run through some of the highlights.

Meeting a super speedy running blogger

Back in the middle of August I got to meet up with one of my favourite running bloggers Autumn who blogs over at Tiny Runner. Although I didn’t quite manage to achieve an elusive sub 30 time, Autumn flew around the Walsall Arboretum course, finished as first lady and absolutely destroyed her sub 20 goal. Awesome running!

Incidentally this may turn out to be the last photo of me running this year. Thanks Martin for taking such an amazing action photo. Perhaps “sprinting” towards the finish wasn’t such a smart move

Isn’t hindsight wonderful!?

Winning things

Like everyone else I love a good freebie and I love winning twitter competitions. Although I’m yet to win a pair of Brooks trainers I managed to win two competitions in a day.

I’m really looking forward to wearing my Saucony top and to testing out part of the BEET IT bundle. Unfortunately there was a bit of a beetroot explosion in the post.

Conquering Cardiac Hill

I finally managed to overcome what had become a bit of a personal running nemesis. Cardiac Hill I am no longer so afraid of you.

Unfortunately, my niggly knee means that I won’t have the childish pleasure of running down Cardiac Hill again in the near future!

Conference in La Crosse

I managed to overcome my highly irrational fear of flying and attended a hydrology conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Our flight to Chicago was delayed for more than an hour due to disruptive passengers *big sigh*. We subsequently missed our connection to La Crosse and spent the night in a suburb of Chicago. Drinking beers at what would have been 4am UK time was a slightly surreal experience…

…as was arriving at La Crosse airport after a ridiculously short flight the following morning and discovering our suitcases were still sitting in Chicago! Luckily they were delivered to our hotel a few hours later.

As a hydrologist and river geek, the location of the conference was perfect. Our hotel overlooked an arm of the River Mississippi and a small riverside park.

I tried not to feel too envious of the people running during their lunch break in the park. Had my knee not been so painful I would have definitely done the same. My knee prevented me from participating in the conference baseball game. I packed some running gear, it returned unworn.

I’m hoping that I’ll be back running again soon.

I’ve been sent some amazing products to review. Unfortunately, due to my nut allergy, I had to turn down the energy bars. I didn’t fancy reviewing my local A&E department.

Apologies for the slightly dodgy twitter screenshots. After spending ages trying to directly link to twitter and getting thoroughly irritated, I decided to resort to copy and paste.

I am rubbish!

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