Fitness Friday: Running Events

Good morning!

I don't know about you, but sometimes motivation is a little hard to come by. Especially at this time of year, I find that I'm passed the initial 'New Year, New Me' kind of mentality but unfortunately better weather still hasn't arrived so I still don't feel ready for outdoor running or hiking or generally anything else that's different.

Last year me and M both completed Tough Mudder, it's a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by UK Special Forces to test your strength, stamina and mental grit - we did complete it but not without digging deep and working hard in the months leading up to it.

Image from Tough Mudder Twitter page

We took part in the August event in the South West area, but there are many Tough Mudder events throughout the year around the UK. But as it's one of the original events it can be expensive and it's also the hardest - there are so many other events you can try out for fun!

Today's Fitness Friday is all about the variety of running events you can sign up for that doesn't include a single fun run or marathon, hope you're inspired!

Spartan Race - This one is also another very popular obstacle race with three separate distances, Sprint (5km), Super (10km) and the Beast (20km). The idea with Spartan races is to complete all three within a year and you get an extra medal, plus you can fit all of your medals collected throughout the year together. It also gives you the opportunity and aim of building up your distance over a specified length of time. Here's their website

Tough Guy - Allegedly the hardest, this 8 mile course claims to be the original obstacle course (website here). The catch with this course is that its run on the last Sunday of January and contains a whopping 250 obstacles. Dear Lord.

X-Runner - another obstacle course with a variety of runs including a Wild Run, Water Wipeout and Wild Warrior. You can find out more on their site here, but there should be something for everyone on this site courtesy of the variety of types and 5km and 10km options for distances.

Zombie Evacuation - Totally different kettle of fish, a 5km fun run from one place to another trying to 'survive' the zombie apocalypse. There is a massive increase in runs like these and you can see why! Definitely one to get your adrenaline going with a zombie chasing after you trying to steal your 'life' (also known as a scarf that you wear during the run!). Website here.

London Cardiff 24 - If you're not one for too much mud or being chased, this one might be more your thing. Running from Twickenham Stadium in London to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff with a team over 24 hours. It's certainly a challenge but it won't leave you bored like a normal half marathon might, the darkness and map reading will keep you on your toes! Website here for further info.

Survival of the Fittest - Another obstacle run but this time it's an urban theme. Men's Health devised this event in major cities around the UK including Cardiff and Edinburgh, expect less mud and more water and tyres, with views of the city around you. Website link here.

Last but not least....

Tough Mudder - The beast that me and M are so proud to have conquered! We endured 25 obstacles over an extremely hilly 11.5 miles including swimming through ice water, electric shocks and jumping off a 4m high platform into freezing cold water. You can browse the site here, and view the terrifying ordeal of the World's Toughest Mudder event. I just can't even...!

Have you taken part in any other types of runs? There's also Revolution Runs which is a new event in the South Wales area, there's Dirty Dozen, Total Warrior....the list is endless!

We've signed up to do another Tough Mudder this year but the training for it is looking a little bit behind courtesy of our new jobs.

What are you training for this year?

L xxx

Lush Full of Grace Solid Serum

Good  morning!

Ever since we went to the Lush Spring and Mother's Day event at the beginning of the month (link here) I've been slathering this serum on my face.

Full of Grace is a solid serum, which at first confused and intrigued me, and then I tried it and it was love at first feel.

The serum contains murumuru butter, calamine powder, rose petal infusion, almond oil, rose oil and portobello mushrooms meaning its safe enough for even the most sensitive skins. This serum protects and calms the skin and controls greasiness so the serum can be used in the morning and evening without fear of getting a shiny face halfway through the day.

The solid serum is similar in shape and size to a massage bar but without the lumpy bits. I've been warming this in my hands after cleansing and then massaging it into my face and neck.

First things, it smells amazing. I'm not a lover of strong smells particularly sweet ones - they can actually give me a headache and make me feel sick. But even though this smells strongly of rose I really like it, it doesn't linger too long so that it is overpowering.

Secondly, my skin drinks this up so fast and feels super hydrated afterwards. Sometimes when I get in from work and take my make up off I apply a second layer of this as my skin just seems to love it. I often then don't apply a moisturiser too it depends how my skin feels as I don't want to overload it but it hasn't reacted in any negative ways.

I've been using this every day twice a day since I bought it at the beginning of the month and I absolutely love it, there isn't enough praise I can give it.
My skin can be so dehydrated sometimes that I found it was hard to do anything about but this solid serum is AMAZING! 

This serum comes in 20g bars which cost £8.25. I think this would last about 6 weeks with use twice a day, maybe longer. I'm going on the fact that I've used under half of it in 2 weeks. I'd say this was great value for money considering most serums cost so much more than £8 and this is composed of 100% natural ingredients. 

I'm now really annoyed with myself for not buying this sooner and I will DEFINITELY be going back for more. I'll need to use up some of my stash first but I know for sure this is perfect for my skin and my bank balance.

What else do you like from Lush? What else would you recommend?

My favourites so far apart from this is the Mask of Magnaminty and Ocean Salt Scrub.

L xxx

Rodology - Lady Charlotte

Hey All

Hope you had great weekends. Mine was a busy one after a day/night out on Saturday and heading home to Somerset yesterday to spend Mother's Day with my Mum.

When I was home last weekend I was extremely hungover and ended up leaving stuff behind including the necklace my other half got me last year

year. I'm very sentimental about jewellery and always where that necklace and two rings from my parents. As he's currently away with work (3 and a half weeks till I get him back!) I was gutted I wouldn't have my necklace for a week. After a skype last Monday I casually mentioned I'd left it behind but at least I'd get it back in a week. 

So on Wednesday I got home from work to find a parcel I wasn’t expecting and opened it up to find this beauty. I'd sent him the photo of it a month ago in passing as I'm desperate for a skeleton face watch and the necklace reminded me of it. I was so surprised he'd ordered it for me.

It's even more beautiful im real life. It's also quite unusual which I love. If I had to describe my jewellery taste it would probably be unique. The pieces I like to wear everyday I like to be different. 

I have it in silver but the pendant can come im gold and rose gold. Lady Charlotte is also the largest. When people have seen it in real life they've always commented on it smaller than they thought. At about the size of a 10p I think it's perfect.  I wouldn't want it any bigger. You can also get different chain materials and lengths but as mine was a gift I don't know what my other half picked.

I love the detail on it. It also ticks if you shake it. How amazing is that. If you go on Rodology's Instagram page you can see a video of mine ticking. I love the little hints of red in the watch's mechanism too.

They also have cool cufflinks on the site.

Have you heard of Rodology. You should check them out if not at www.rodology.co.uk.

Love M

Xxx

Spring in Primark

Well hello there!

You know it seems that Spring might be winging its way into our lives, there has actually been a fair few April showers but aside from that the blue skies have begun returning along with the SUN! Shocking, it's hard to remember what that's like sometimes.

But that aside I went to Primark last weekend and picked up a few spring themed goodies!

These beautiful mint coloured travel bag and wash bag are just an example.
A lot of my wash bags have been free from magazines and the like, and over the years have turned very grubby! Seeing these I couldn't resist picking them up and throwing out the old ones.

The colour and patterns are really cute and although they are pretty basic inside without any additional pockets and compartments they're perfect for travelling with, which is exactly what I need.

And for £4 for the 'Essentials' bag and £5 for the 'Travel' bag I couldn't resist.

The set is so cute!

There is also a 'Make Up' bag available in the same range.

Muslin cloths are the bane of my washing, they're always dirty and always piling up. 3 face cloths in Primark cost £1.30 so its about time they also got changed up, there's only so much mascara they can take!

Summer shoes are something that Primark do so well, the massive range of colours is awesome and there's almost anything you could possibly want!

These aqua coloured lace up pumps are a staple every year for me but I normally get them in grey, these will brighten up any outfit over the next few months and if I somehow manage to ruin them in the rain (seems to happen every year.....) then for £3 I can buy another!

Such is the fickle world of fashion that although they're in for every summer the colour of the moment changes, but at this price it's affordable.

These beauties I also couldn't leave behind, cream shoes are perfect for wearing with almost anything and I wore mine until they fell apart!
These feel really soft to touch as well, so even though they have so many cut out details that I worry would act like a cheese grater on my feet these actually feel so soft.

What have you been buying recently? Have you snapped up any wardrobe updates for the Spring season?

I really need to brighten up my wardrobe so I'm going to work really hard on doing that this year as I own far too much black and grey!

L xxx