Bucket List: Complete a 10k run

As part of my losing weight regime I needed some motivation, something to aim for that meant I couldn’t quit.

Last November I couldn’t wouldn’t run on the treadmill. (I was always scared I was going to trip and fall off!) Once I got over that… then I fell in love with running!

In June I took to the streets of Leeds City Centre and ran the Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All.

Pre-race selfie

It was one of the most exhausting things I have ever done, but it was for a good cause (my cousin and I were raising money for McMillan) and it motivated me to get fit!

Just a little bit red faced!

Although I had to stop nearly half-way into the race to find a loo! I still managed a respectable 1 hour 14. Now I’m just waiting to sign up for my next one to beat my PB!

Such a beautiful medal

 

Dublin: The Bucket List

I am visiting the Emerald Isle next week, here is my bucket list of things I have to do!

1.Drink at The Temple Bar

Temple Bar is the famous drinking area in Dublin, at the centre is The Temple Bar, I’ve got to go have a drink in there!

2. Drink at the Guinness Storehouse

This should probably be the first on my list, when in Dublin you have to experience the taste of Guinness (I’ve never had it) where better to try it than at the place it is made!

3. Dance to real Irish music in an Irish bar

I promise these don’t all involve alcohol! Experiencing authentic Irish music, in a real Irish bar and obviously being a little bit merry and dancing along!

4. See the library at Trinity College

This is for the bookworm part of me, the largest library in Ireland!

5. Visit St Stephens green park

Something a little bit different (and not drinking!) This park is just off Grafton Street and would be great if the weather is nice!

6. Take a picture ‘up’ the Spire

The Spire of Dublin replaced an earlier monument Nelson’s Pillar, pretty cool to take some pictures looking up the 400ft pin!

What would you add to your Dublin bucket list?

Monday Motivation

There’s nothing better for someone trying to lose weight than someone noticing all the effort you have been putting in.

Over the past two days I have been complimented a couple of times about how much slimmer I look.

The worrier in my head thought “has everyone been thinking what a fat cow all this time?!” but that was soon knocked away.

I have been doing the 5:2 diet for the last six weeks and it is something that really works for me, so for people to recognise that I am changing is great!

Sometimes I will be eating a salad on a fast day and will be just craving a burger or something deep fried, but then what’s the point? I was unhappy at the weight I was and I sure don’t want to go back!

So my thought for Monday is… keep going you’re doing great!

New York: The Bucket List

I have visited New York once before for three days, but it still wasn’t enough! Here is my bucket list for visiting New York

1.Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

Something I didn’t get to do last time in NYC and simply a must-do! The views walking across the bridge towards Manhattan are supposed to be amazing!

2.Take the Staten Island Ferry at night

Who wouldn’t want to see views like this? I took the Staten Island ferry last time I was in New York during the day, it’s free and provides such an amazing view of the skyline!

3. Walk up the Statue of Liberty

To see the Statue of Liberty is pretty amazing, even though it’s a lot smaller than you think it is in the movies! This is something we’ve booked to do whilst we are in NYC. The climb is going to be tough though 354 steps in blistering heat!

4. Watch Shakespeare in Central Park

I am a bit of a literature nerd and to see an open air theatre performance of a Shakespeare play in Central Park is a dream! There are two plays each year over the summer!

5. See the ‘Friends’ building

As an avid Friends fan, of course I need to go see the iconic ‘Friends Building’ unfortunately Central Perk isn’t real otherwise that would have been top of my list!

6. Walk along the High Line

This is something that I have found when reading about things to do in New York, it looks like such a lovely walk away from the hustle and bustle of NYC. A disused railway turned into an elevated park!

There are so many more things I want to do and see in NYC, what would you add to your bucket list?

Bucket List: 10,000ft Skydive

Three years ago I took the brave leap (or should I say pushed) to try and conquer my fear of heights/falling. Me and my cousins signed up to do a charity tandem skydive to raise money for Dementia UK.

For someone who is petrified of falling (I wont even go upstairs on a bus for the fear of falling down the stairs on the way down) the thought of willingly falling 10,000 ft. is a big deal.

We went twice to SkyDive UK  in Bridlington but due to bad weather we weren’t able to actually do the jump. My cousins tried another time when I was at uni and finally got to jump. Which left me. On my own. To overcome a fear.

The tiny plane I jumped out of!

When the day came I was in the second plane of skydivers. It was a clear sunny day and so we watched the people in the first plane jump. All we could see was tiny white lights falling through the sky. The speed that they fell was incredible, I think you freefall until around 5000ft!

Feeling sick I had to run to the bathroom and remind myself of why I was actually putting myself through this. To raise money to help my grandma.

All ready to go… sexy outfit I know

When my turn came I shared the plane with 5 guys who were professional skydivers and who were doing a synchronised jump, the camera woman (of course I got it filmed) and the man who basically had my life in his hands.

Words cannot explain how pure fear sitting on the edge of the plane, holding my head back, waiting to plunge back to earth, changed into the most exhilarating adrenaline rush I have ever experienced. After freefalling for what seemed like an eternity looking at the sea and beach of Bridlington I was pulled up into the air by the parachute.

Falling with style

The guy who I was strapped to was really cool and let me ‘drive’ the parachute. Spiralling through the air was pretty cool!

Once I was back on land i screamed “can I do that again?” It was literally the best experience ever. I love rollercoasters but since this no coaster will ever compare to the adrenaline rush!