**Disclaimer: I’m writing this rants and raves post after spending six hours in what felt like never ending MS Teams meetings. I didn’t have time for lunch so I’m also feeling slightly hangry. As a result, I have a sneaky feeling that this rants and raves post may turn out to be quite ranty. As always, all rants and raves and moans and groans represent my personal views. Other, far less negative blogs that actually talk about running are available**

I’d like to start by saying good morning, afternoon, evening etc to whoever takes the time to read my latest selection of rants and raves. I can’t believe this is my 50^th rants and raves post. I hope that you are all keeping well and that you are looking forward to the weekend.

As always, I’ve waffled on far too much, so here is my latest selection of rants and raves. I apologise in advance for the repeat rants and raves; history really does seem to repeat itself. I hope that you enjoy this small insight into what’s been happening in my life recently.

Rave: parkrun

Apparently, I officially became a member of the 25 Club yesterday. My next target is to become a member of the 50 Club. However, much as I love all of the parkrun challenges and I can’t wait to finally earn the right to wear my red 50 Club t-shirt, it’s my what I’ve previously referred to as parkrun family that make parkrun so special.

I can’t run around my local parkrun at the moment; even walking down the small downhill section towards the finish hurts my knees. I might never get the opportunity to beat my parkrun PB and it’s looking increasingly unlikely I’ll ever get the sub-25 minute parkrun time I always wanted. That’s fine, as I’ve realised that volunteering at parkrun is just as much fun (I tell a lie, it’s more fun) as running.

Rant: Both of my knees

Apologies for the repeat rant, it feels like all of my recent rants and raves posts have included a knee-related rant. It’s almost become a tradition.

At the beginning of August, I restarted the Couch to 5k for what I think was the third time this year. My knees couldn’t cope with the short running intervals, so I decided to stop running before I made my knee injury worse. I haven’t attempted to run since that day and I have no idea when I’ll be able to run again.

Rave: Top 10 Running Blog

Apologies for another repeat rave, but I recently found out that this blog had been included in Vuelios Top 10 UK Running Blogs ranking for the fifth consecutive year.

I’ve been neglecting this blog so much this year I wasn’t expecting to feature in the Top 10 again so I was quite surprised to receive the email from Vuelio. I’m sure you’ll all be relieved to know that I haven’t been asked to complete what would have been a fifth Blogger Spotlight article.

I’ve got everything crossed that at some point in the future, I’ll be able to run again. As a non-runner, maintaining a running blog is quite difficult.

Rant: Huel

I’ve no idea what on earth possessed me to buy a 1.53 kg bag of Black Edition Salted Caramel Huel and a 1.53kg bag of Black Edition Strawberries and Cream Huel. Although the time on my email confirmation makes me think I’d consumed a few too many BrewDogs, I don’t usually make such random drunken purchases.

[Source]

The Salted Caramel tastes what I can only describe as ‘chemically’ and nothing like Salted Caramel. The Strawberries and Cream tastes slightly less artificial but isn’t amazing. As for the texture, I made the mistake of following the instructions on Huel’s website and mixed the Huel and cold water by hand. Using my Nutribullet seems to be the best way forward.

Rave: London Marathon

After weighing up the pros and cons of attempting to walk 26.2 miles twice in eight days, I decided to DNS the virtual London Marathon. This meant that I was able to watch the elite races and saw Charlotte Purdue put her Tokyo omission behind her.

Once I’d seen Charlotte cross the finish line, I switched to the BBC red button and spent a couple of hours watching the live coverage of the finish line. The medical staff were amazing, and I enjoyed looking out for members of my running club and runners wearing unusual fancy dress outfits.

Rant: Trolls on social media

I love social media, but I haven’t appreciated some of the snarky comments I’ve been on the receiving end of recently. Yes, I know I’ve put on a lot of weight this year. Yes, I know that I’m a rubbish runner and that I always get injured. Yes, I know I wasn’t at the front of the queue when good looks were handed out. And don’t get me started on Tattle Life, it’s about time it was shut down.

And that’s my final rant, so in a slight change from what I usually do, I’ve decided to end this rants and raves post with a selection of random rants. Apologies if some of these sound like unsubtle hints about what I’d like for Christmas!

Rave: Commonwealth Games tickets

I recently discovered that I’d been successful in the ticket ballot and that I’d been allocated tickets for the women’s and the men’s individual triathlon events in Sutton Park. I can’t wait and hope that the weather is kind to the triathletes (and to the spectators!).

I’m still waiting to hear back about my Commonwealth Games volunteer application. I know quite a few people who have already had interviews, so I have a feeling my application wasn’t successful.

 Rave: Bird and Blend Tea Advent Calendar

I have to say a huge thank-you to Maria for introducing me to Bird and Blend Tea. I have always been a bit of a tea addict, so I’m enjoying working my way through all of the different flavour teas Bird and Blend Tea sell.

When I received an email last month with the subject ‘Tea Advent Calendars now live!’ it didn’t take me very long to treat myself to one. Seeing something is ‘Limited Edition’ makes me dust off my credit card.

[Source]

The Tea Advent Calendar was delivered a couple of weeks later. I’ve been good and haven’t looked at the contents. I don’t want to wish the year away as I have loads of Christmas presents to buy, but I’m looking forward to December 1st.

Rave: Fairfax and Favor The Charlotte Gilet

I love Fairfax and Favor and I think its fair to say that if I wasn’t currently in what I call ‘saving mode’, I’d treat myself to a pair of Regina tall boots. I’ve been eyeing up and admiring this navy blue gilet since last year.

[Source]

I keep telling myself that spending such a lot of money on a gilet would be ridiculous. I know from past experience that I’d feel guilty if I bought myself something this expensive. I just have to hope that I either win the Lottery or that Father Christmas reads this blog and is feeling generous this year.

Rave: Underdog Studio Birmingham Underground Style Map

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to trains. I’d love to work for Network Rail as a signaller. Anyway, when Geoff was alive, he’d send me a message before he travelled home to check the trains from Waterloo to Honiton were running. I’d also find out and let him know which platform his train was scheduled to depart from.

After over 18 months of working from home, I’m almost missing my commute to work. I say almost as I don’t miss the regular delays and cancellations and having to stand for 30 minutes while keeping a close eye on my work bag.

I’ve no idea where I first spotted this Birmingham Underground Style map, but I think it’s great.

 [Source]

It’s just a shame that the map is slightly what I’d describe as inaccurate and doesn’t actually include my local station.

 Rave: ELEMIS No. 25 Beauty Advent Calendar

I want to apologise for what I’m aware is a repeat rave. Last year, when I discovered M&S weren’t producing a beauty advent calendar, I spent a fair amount of time researching alternatives. After the price of some beauty advent calendars completely blew my mind, I ended up buying mum a beauty advent calendar from ELEMIS.

On Christmas Day, once mum had stopped complaining I’d spent far too much money, she opened the ELEMIS beauty advent calendar and seemed to appreciate the contents.

Fast forward a year and I’ve just purchased this year’s ELEMIS beauty advent calendar.

[Source]

It was expensive but I figured I only have one mum. I also got some money back by using TopCashBack and the calendar came with loads of freebies which I’ve kept, sorry mum! Writing this has reminded me that I didn’t end up using last year’s freebies. Over the last 12 months I’ve tried and tested a few skincare products and I’ve reached the conclusion that ALDI’s Lacura range is perfect for my sensitive skin.

If you made it to the end of this latest selection of rants and raves, thank-you. I’m not sure I would have made it to the end. As always, I feel much better for having a good old rant. And finally, I hope that my rants were reasonable and that I haven’t somehow inadvertently offended anyone.

Have you ever tried Huel? If you have, what did you think of it? Have you found any alternatives to Huel?

Have you made a start on your Christmas shopping? I’m sure my family think I’ve been slightly too keen this year, but I don’t want to leave everything to the last minute.

---