Day 72, Miles 40-42

Down in Hertfordshire for Jemini's 30th Birthday! Obviously, due to keeping school and Uni friends, there are a lot of us that turn 30 this year, so there are many of these events coming up.
We are having a relaxing weekend, as Jemini and her husband Anam are renovating their whole house - the massive skip in the drive is testament to their DIY skills, and devotion.

Jemini, Anam, Trina, Angela and I set off for a morning stroll to find the Scratchwood Open Space, which is a short walk from their house. They had never been there before - due to the DIY - and we discovered a great wooded area with several paths for adventures!

Spring is starting to appear, with catkins, and the first few buds coming out on the trees. As you probably know by now, I love trees - hence all the pictures that will be uploaded when I get back. See here!

Back home before I tired them out, and so far I have baked 5 mini chocolate goo pots, one birthday cake and a Pavlova! Well we couldn't very well have let Jem make her own birthday cake!

Hope you are having fun, and possibly eating cake!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 66 - still 39 Miles

So, I bet you're wondering why I am writing, not having done any walking, jogging or swimming.

Well, I am ill - again..... I had a bad cough after coming back from the Shetlands and Scotland in January, which lasted about 3 weeks, and just as I was getting over that I have caught the office cold! I don't think they are the same germs that I apparently gave to them, as this is completely different.

So, today was a rest day, and to be honest with you, I have slept for most of the day. On and off between have hot lemon and honey.

I am hoping that resting will make my week at work ok and that I can get back totting up some miles soon, otherwise I'll have to have a big push over the next few months!

Hope you are all warm, happy and germ free!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 61 - Mile 39

As I drove home from work, I was looking forward to the nights that I would be able to jog in the light, but tonight was not to be one of those nights.

Helena arrived at my house around 8.30pm to set out on our jog for this week. There was a smattering of snow on the ground this morning and there was still icy remnants around so we had to be careful. Even so we up the "lamppost" jogs to 3 jogs, and 1 walk.

It was hard tonight, but mainly because of the cold it is harder to breathe, and the fact that we hadn't seen each other for a few days so we were trying to talk and jog - something I can't do well yet!

Up the road, around the park and back the other side, took us to our mile tonight. We have been discussing upping the distance but I think I need to concentrate on actually jogging constantly first! Even though I find it hard - much harder than swimming, I do always want to go out again the next day, so it can't be that bad, can it?

Thank you to those who have donated today,

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Give if you can......

So here I am, after 2 months of miles, the weather is getting better and I am getting fitter. I'm enjoying the planning and getting friends together to enjoy the journey toward the 365 miles.

But..... so far I have only had 2 donations, and they have been from the same person. Our lovely receptionist Joan at work, has vowed to donate a bit each month, which she won't miss, but will give the charities a lot by the end of the year. I am really grateful to her for her support.

So here is a quick reminder of the charities that I am embarking on this endurance challenge for.

Firstly Macmillan, who supported and helped my friend at a time when she really needed it. So we are giving back to them, for helping one of the most wonderful people in the world get back to the happy loving person she always was.

Secondly, to Dexter's Wish. A charity started by friends, in memory of their beautiful son who only lived for month having been born with a very rare genetic disorder called Zellweger Syndrome. They were well supported and aim to give back to Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, St. Mary’s Hospital Special Care Baby Unit in Manchester and families that they feel could benefit from the support that they received.

I hope that you will find it in your heart and your pockets to donate whatever and whenever possible.

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 59 - Mile 38

"Morning! Lovely day for a swim" was the first text message of the day. I, along with some other friends had decided to get a plunge in the water on the last day of February. Ric's message made me really excited, as their had been fears of severe weather warnings and even more snow!

I set off early - because I hate being late - and so I could take the drive at my own pace and take pictures as I went. I drove out towards Pately Bridge, and was greeted with the great sight of Windmills and Large Golf Balls (Menwith Hill RAF base), an extraordinarily weird sight, but it never fails to make me smile.

At 10am this morning the only other people out and about were farmers, walkers and cyclists! All out enjoying the best the dales have to offer - even if there is still snow on the ground.

Christine, Ric, Lisa, Matthew and I set off down to the river from the Craven Arms, past the campsite and along the river, to make sure my walking was a mile for today and to check that the river didn't look to unhospitable.

Setting up camp, Ric was the first to dive in. Well he is the Outdoor Swimming Society's new Press Officer, so it's his duty obviously! Shortly followed by myself (with new waterproof digital camera in hand) and Christine after we had all sqeezed into out wetsuits.

It was a brisk 20 mins or so that we spent in the river, we did have to properly swim to keep warm, but it was great!

Just as we were getting out Cassie and Andy arrived. Andy didn't have a wetsuit so just jumped in, took a few stokes and jumped straight back out again. Brave man, I don't think I would have gone in with out my wetsuit. I'm mad, not stupid!

After a quick walk back up to the pub, we all warmed by the fire and have some lunch.

It was great to see Lisa, Ric and Matthew, and to meet Christine, Cassie and Andy, hopefully we'll be doing some more swims in the year, and hopefully some that can count as miles.

I drove back through Bolton Abbey, and stopped to see friends for a cuppa on the way home. All nice and toastie now after a bath and clean dry clothes on! What a lovely sunday!

See photo's here Day 59.

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 57 - Mile 37

Friday night swim's are great! I'm not sure whether it's because it's the end of the week, the fact you always get stuck in traffic on the way, or just that the lengths are 50m on a Friday, but diving in and swimming always feels so right on a Friday!

Mandi, Ellie, Louis and Mandi's mum all arrived at the pool just before 6, so we hit the pool straight away. While Louis trained for her Diving competition this weekend, we dived in to do our mile.

It was my turn to count the lengths, which isn't such a hard task when you only have to do 32! It felt much easier as Mandi and I had swam on Wednesday, and we soon got to the end of the mile, even Ellie swam half a mile. We are trying to persuade her to swim a whole mile with us, but she'll show us up when she does as at 13, she is better than us already!

Then it was shower and change, before picking up my friend Trina and heading over to Rawtenstall to watch Kristianne sing at Cafe Artisan. Even though she has a cold, Kristianne never fails to pleased the crowd with her wit and familiar nature - you really do feel like she is actually chatting to you in her lounge. With the talented Chris playing guitar as he accompaniment, it is always worth the drive! I really must take my Canon to one of her gigs to get some great pictures.

But for now see Day 57 for todays pictures.

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 56 - Mile 36

Helena and I planned to go on our run this week, and I was pleased to be able to give my new camera a trip out. We didn't realise just how much it was raining when we set out, so I was glad that we had put our hoodies on!

It was dark by the time we had got changed, settled the boys with Daddy for cuddles, and set off. Today's mission was to jog two lamp posts and then walk one. I did feel like I was pushing myself, but it still didn't seem as bad as it had the first time we ran, only just over a week ago!

Helena jogged on at one point, but I carried on walking and jogging. I did make sure that I was jogging when 2 other jogger came past though - you have to show willing! It was cold and wet, as proof I took a picture in the rain with the waterproof camera.

Back home for yummy pasta and chicken made by Helena's husband Graeme, and some play time with the boys.

For today's pictures see Day 56.

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com