Biscuit Nikki...Come in!

The Rhythms of life, the deer and the queen.

Ok ok, it's been a while and I've been practically ignoring you all.  I'd like to say that I've not had anything interesting to write about, but that wouldn't quite be true. I'd also like to say that it's because I've been doing so much running, which is sort of true and I'd like to say I've cut down on the biscuits, but that would be an outright lie.

So I am back running again and back into a reasonably steady training rhythm.  I'm trying to get out several times a week and am also trying to remember to rest at the right times and know when to take it easy or train hard (which is the tricky thing).

It's amazing to be out plodding the pavements again and every run seems to have something worth learning from it. The great circle of life has also come back around to the winter joys of cross country (update to follow).

Whilst out on my long run recently I came across the most beautiful deer in a nearby wood.  You're probably thinking of a serene movie scene, where the main actor has some kind of moment of realisation and complete tranquility before the stunning deer leaps away into the woodland.  Real life is rarely like this.

As I strove out through the woodland I heard a shuffling noise and I quickly flicked my head round, expecting to see a squirrel.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a large shape and being out in the wood with a ridiculous imagination I immediately thought it was a robber (normal reaction of course). This caused me to shout out in alarm and the deer bolted. I can't blame it really - I'd have done the same.

So this taught me that no matter what is around the great corner of life, it's probably best if you don't stop and scream at it.

This brings me nicely onto cross country!

At the time of writing this the Sandhurst Joggers team have completed the second event in the season, having won the first.

Everyone is running really well and I am so pleased to be back racing with the team.  On the topic of screaming and being startled by passing deer I though I'd take this moment to take my hat off to Jim Casey. Jim caught me completely by surprise as he went surging past towards the end of today's race.  It spurred me on to push a bit harder and I genuinely believe that if Jim hadn't needed to stop to 'get his bearings' he'd have beaten me. Keep trying Jim and I'm going to be a lot more careful to keep a look out over my shoulder in the future! Apparently I am scared by imaginary robbers (given the deer experience) so maybe you need to catch me by surprise again...certainly worked for that deer!

Last weekend was the Sandhurst Joggers running weekend. I had to miss it to go and see a performance of 'We Will Rock You' directed by one of my best friends Laura.  For those of you that don't know, 'We will rock you' is a musical based on the top hits by Queen. 

The play was amazing, but I have to say that ever since watching it I have been completely unable to run without one of the songs cropping up in my head.  This could be brilliant if I was crossing the finish line with 'We are the champions' or 'Don't stop me now' running through my mind, but all too often it seems to be 'Radio GaGa'.  Oh well, real life is rarely like the movies!

Keep letting life surprise you,

Biscuit Nikki x

Oh and as a treat - here's a picture of a smiley biscuit! (I know I spoil you) Special thanks to Lou for spotting it on the treats table!

Happy biscuit time (Thanks Lou for spotting it)