**Disclaimer: I have a feeling this selection of rants and raves may turn into a bit of a moanfest. I’m writing this after failing to make the Brooks #RunHappy team, again. Top tip, always read the small print and remember most brands are just interested in social media statistics. I should have realised I wasn’t what Brooks were looking for when I was screened out after providing information about my Instagram followers. As always, all moans and groans and rants and raves represent my own views. Numerous far less negative running blogs are available. One day, I’ll share my favourite blogs with you**

Good morning and Happy Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. I’ve reached the stage I have no idea what day of the week it is. Having annual leave over the Christmas period is great but I’ve completely lost track of time. I’m aware that I’ve already waffled on a little, so without further ado, here is my latest selection of rants and raves. As always, I apologise for the repeat rants and raves.

Rave: Good food

I got to eat some amazing food over the festive period. Highlights included steak and homemade chips at dads, the most amazing three-course meal at the Craft Dining Rooms in Birmingham and two Christmas lunches. I ignored the do this to burn off that brigade, and followed this advice.

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I was also quite adventurous (for me!) over the festive period and ate leeks for the first time since I had a bad experience when I was 12. I also accidentally ate some parsnips on Christmas Day and actually found them really tasty. The only festive food fail was caused by Waitrose ‘forgetting’ our seafood starter. Luckily, mum managed to grab the last packet of smoked salmon in our local Waitrose.

Rant: Festive #FOMO

Although I’ve enjoyed catching up with my family, I have struggled over the festive period. When I shared this post I broke one of my number one blogging rules; keeping it real. At 40 I’ve been single for what feels like forever. I’ve reached the stage I don’t think I’ve ever going to meet someone and get married. All of my friends in Four Oaks are married and have families of their own. This is great but it means I don’t have any what I’d describe as drinking or meal buddies.

I headed into Birmingham on Saturday to check out the sales and I’ve never felt so alone. Everywhere I looked I could see couples and families having fun. I don’t usually mind drinking on my own in my local pub, but on Saturday evening, I found being surrounded by groups of people really difficult. Apologies for the self-pitying, I’ll move on to another rave now.

Rave: Instagram Top 9

Last year, my Instagram Top 9 featured photos of me running. I think this year’s Instagram Top 9 actually does a really good job of summarising what has, at times, been an incredibly challenging year.

I wasn’t at all surprised to see that five of the photos feature Sutton Park parkrun. In a year that I wasn’t able to run much due to injury, volunteering at my local parkrun allowed me to give something back to the running community.

I didn’t expect two of my #TBT photos, one taken after the 2006 London Marathon and one during last years Cathedral to Castle to feature. I need to remember to stop dwelling on the past! And finally, I was thrilled to see what will hopefully be my main race of 2020 – the Chicago Marathon – featured in the top 9 photos.

Rant: Aggressive drivers and Uber drivers

Can someone explain to me why some people turn into aggressive idiots the second they get behind the wheel? Also, can someone explain to me why some people get so stressed during the festive period? Last week, I witnessed a full on road rage incident, I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to see the police. I also witnessed two so-called grown women arguing about a parking space in Mere Green, the language was colourful.

As for the local Uber drivers, I can only assume the Highway Code doesn’t count if you’re an Uber driver? I’m looking forward to the day Birmingham City Council bans Ubers.

Rave: Fetcheveryone

Once again, the support of my favourite online running community – Fetcheveryone – has helped me get through what has been a year of ups and downs. When I want honest, unbiased advice about running, I ask the Fetcheveryone running community.

I like the fact I can use Fetcheveryone to track all of my training, set myself annual mileage targets and find events to enter and then DNS. The annual training summary is a new feature which is pretty amazing.

I just hope that my 2020 training summary contains a little more training. I think I’ve spent long enough on the injury bench and my temperamental knee is feeling a lot better…

Rant: Video assistant referee (VAR)

I never thought I’d find myself sharing anything written by Piers Morgan, but in its current format, VAR is ruining football.

RIP Football. Murdered by VAR.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 29, 2019

This table which gives an indication of what the Premier League table would look like without VAR is quite interesting.  Although I’ll never be an Aston Villa supporter, I’d hate to see a local team relegated because of dubious VAR decisions.

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I just hope that the VAR process is refined next season. As a Wolves supporter, I didn’t enjoy having to spend six minutes waiting for what appeared to be a perfectly good goal to eventually be disallowed.

Rave: My exercise bike

After a quite literally rocky start – I hadn’t quite managed to assemble the exercise bike correctly – I’m starting to enjoy rather than endure my daily 30-minute sessions on my exercise bike.  I’ve relocated the bike so I can watch the TV while I’m peddling away, this definitely stops me clock watching.

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I’m not completely convinced that I’m burning m(any) calories, but I do seem to work up a bit of a sweat during my daily peddling sessions. I’ve been researching bike options and making enquiries about the Cycling to Work scheme. I think it’s a case of watch this space.

Rave: Chicago Marathon ballot

And finally, what happens when you enter the ballot for the Chicago Marathon and subsequently get injured so you secretly hope you don’t get a place in the marathon? I’m sure you’ve guessed it. You open an email and discover your application was accepted.

Right now, I’m trying not to get too stressed out about my lack of flights and accommodation. I mean I should really be more concerned about my fragile right knee and complete lack of fitness. I’m concerned that Chicago is going to end up being an expensive DNS. A couple of people have told me travel anyway. I can only assume these people have a lot more money than I do.

Once again, I’ve you managed to make it to the end of my latest rather random selection of rants and raves, thank you! As always, I hope that my rants were reasonable and that I haven’t inadvertently offended anyone.

Did you have a good Christmas? I hope that you all managed to avoid the various coughs and colds that seemed to be doing the rounds.  

Do you enjoy my rants and raves posts? After some not so positive feedback from another blogger, I’m not sure if I should continue with these posts. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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