The Great South Run, Southsea, Portsmouth - Sunday, October 28 2012

Yesterday I ran the Great South Run. The largest ten mile road race in Europe, I was one out of 25,000.

In my training I got up to ten miles so I thought it would be fine, however, I found it really, really difficult. It didn't help I needed the toilet from the start but held it until six miles and ran into the Tenth Hole tea room to use the toilet.

The atmosphere was fantastic among the runners and the crowd, hi-fiving kids who were cheering and clapping. Just really, really good.

However, by mile eight I was finding it really difficult. We were in Eastney and I knew where we ended up at the swimming baths but I couldn't figure out how we got there so I did start to feel a bit disheartened and did wonder if I would finish. But I missed the eight mile mark so it did feel as if it was going forever so I was relived when I got to nine miles.

It was cool running through the dockyard and past the navy boats but there was minimal crowd in there.

The best part was getting round the corner by the Pyramids and seeing the finish line I got my sprint on and pulled away from the boyfriend, but I did it too soon and he soon caught me up.

I think I got quite caught up in the moment to start with as the first five miles I did running between 5.1 and 4.9 miles an hour, far too fast for me. I was doing 11-12 minute miles! Crazy! The eight mile I did in 14 minutes, that was my hardest mile.

It was a great feeling afterwards though knowing I had just completed the Great South Run, at points I was really doubting if I would do it. The crowd support from friends and family was really needed and appreciated.

Doing it for charity also gave me that extra push as I had more of a purpose to do it.

As much as I hurt today it was really worth it and I would recommend it, the buzz was amazing. I feel so proud of myself as in May I couldn't run for five minutes without stopping and yesterday I ran 10 miles in 2 hours and 9 minutes!

Now hopefully I will be doing a 10k Santa fun run!

I ran for mind to donate visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/runcharlierun

To sign up for next years run visit the website: http://www.greatrun.org/events/event.aspx?id=12

Proof I did it...

Mainly quiet on the homefront

October has been fairly quiet some work and personal issues but apart from that not much else, hence the lack of posts.

However, on Sunday I have the Great South Run. Who knew I would be able to run ten miles, 'You haven't done it yet' I hear you cry well actually last Sunday I did run ten miles! So all being well Sunday should be fine!

Coming up I have that, in November I'm off for a week and plan to cook and bake, it is the boyfriend's birthday, we might see the new Bond film 'Skyfall', then the latest Twilight film and the Twilight marathon before...well you knew it was going to happen.

Also my anniversary in London and a visit to the film costume exhibit at the V&A, two gigs- Jake Bugg and the Rifles. I have it all going on in November, in December got Viva Forever the Spice Girls musical.

Also got lots more planned for next year - musical 9 to 5, Warhorse and Pink so never fear this blog will be back to normal before you know it.

The day I went to Buckingham Palace

This weekend I got to do something I never thought I would.

I got to visit the state rooms at Buckingham Palace and not only that we also got to see the very special diamond collection, which is on offer as it is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

In the Diamond exhibition we saw the small crown worn by Queen Victoria when she was in mourning of Prince Albert (as seen on this Wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_victoria) and was also won by Queen Alexandra the consort of King Edward VII - Queen Victoria's son and successor.

Also the crown and necklace Her Majesty the Queen wore on her coronation and more recently in the official photo for her Diamond Jubilee.

And seven pieces created by the Cullinan Diamond, the largest rough gem-quality diamond. All the diamonds were exquisite, the clarity and colour were beautiful and they just sparkled like stars in the sky, amazing! Diamonds truly are the Queen’s best friend.

The state rooms were just as magnificent, you see the throne room where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had their wedding photo and more recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had their photos taken. It was just amazing to walk where heads of state such as President Obama and other Royals have walked. To see where the Queen lives and works.

The rooms were huge and the decoration over the top. My favourite room was the ballroom, created for Queen Victoria to host social gatherings. It is the largest room in London and has four chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, they are five foot in diameter and I think they said about 11 foot high; they work on a winch and are cleaned once a year. It also has an organ from the Brighton Pavilion; it was a truly regal room.

All the paintings around the state rooms are amazing. My favourite was the family portrait of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children by Winterhalter it is stunning and shows the family in a fairly informal setting but still she looks like a Queen, mother and wife.

You are not allowed to take photos on the tour but you can in the garden.

The state rooms are just amazing, I cannot recommend them enough.

Also if you buy your tickets through the palace you can get your ticket stamped and return for free within the next 12 months, how fantastic is that! Well with the £18 entrance fee.

I will say though that the cafe is quite expensive over £2 for a tea, but the cakes did look amazing aand I do wish I had had one.

If you go in August or September don’t expect to see the Queen as she holidays in Balmoral.

If you are interested in the tour visit: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/buckinghampalace