Week 8. Another marathon........plus a bit!

Mum and Dad first started courting after Mum nursed Grandma Redhead and she played cupid and got them together. They split up for a brief time and mum went back to Ireland to spend some time with her family. Dad followed her to a 'foreign land', found his way to Clones and knocked on the door to ask for her back only to be turned away!! But true love prevailed and they were finally married at 1:15pm on 24th February 1968 at St Charles Church which is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the City of Hull. They honeymooned in the Lake District before returning to live with my Grandma Redhead in Brough.

They were lucky enough to celebrate their Ruby Wedding last year and spent the day with family. I remember Dad being so ill that day we nearly cancelled but he battled through and we ended up having a really lovely day as he got a little better as the day wore on.

Dad lived his life on a day to day basis for a long time and he often had to cancel visits due to his bad health or if he was well enough he would invite himself round!

This week we've cried many tears but we've cried, talked, and laughed together. On Tuesday the eight of us had a lovely meal at Mums (although I would say that as I cooked it!) and what better present could Dad have left her but the deeds to their house which arrived the very morning of their Anniversary. Every Anniversary will be hard for us and Mum in particular but hopefully not quite as hard as this the first!! xxx

The week started very emotional but I'm quickly learning to channel my energy into my sponsored slim so the rest of the week was spent walking and training. I've had an exceptional week this week and walked 33 miles (day 1 being last Sunday). Only 3 of those miles were done on the treadmill and I seem to have found a new love for the outdoors! I love being out in the fresh air and have quickly come to realise that by going outside, no matter how far out you walk you have to get back one way or the other. Rather than in the gym when you can turn the treadmill off!!!!

Ray also found a new website, walkrunjog.net so I've plotted both my Hessle and Sproatley walks if anyone would like to have a look. Its a fabulous site and works with Google maps so you can see all the public footpaths as well as main roads.

Caz came over yesterday for our first walk together for a gentle 6 mile walk. I decided to take her over the Humber Bridge on the route Ray and I had done last week so I gave her the website to show her where we would be walking - handy for her as she lives in Harrogate!! We ended up doing a 7.5 mile walk and we both felt brilliant for it, our longest walk yet!! I'm planning to go over to Harrogate in a couple of weeks and I can't wait for her to show me the ropes!

So ............................... I've 33 miles under my belt this week and 60 lengths of the pool. I was looking forward to seeing the results of my efforts in my weigh in.

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2lb off!! Oh my lord that's 19lb in 8 weeks. I'm ecstatic, I'm loosing weight, certainly getting healthier (this week I ran the length of the garden with Benji, I've NEVER been able to do that!) and I'm enjoying it all to boot.

Next week Ray and I have got walks planned Monday, Wednesday and Friday then on Sunday we have a half marathon planned, YES 13MILES!! I look forward to telling you all about it.

Until then, stay safe and God Bless

Ellie
xxx