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

The Big Fat Jamaican Wedding

I am at that age where everyone I know is either getting married or having a baby. Facebook feeds full of wedding woe and joy or baby scan pictures.

In the past three years I have been to three full weddings and one reception.

If you had read my blog before you will know I have been a bridesmaid and done a reading. All of which I was honoured to be. The last wedding I went to a couple of weeks ago was of a friend who I have known since infant school, and who I used to play Animals of Farthing Wood with. At this wedding I was asked to be a witness, which out of the three roles was by far the easiest, all I had to do was write my name.

I have felt very honoured to play a part in my friends' special days, I don't think I will do a reading again though in a hurry, too nerve wrecking on a day where you spend the ceremony crying with joy. Bridesmaid is good but a very long day, luckily my friend was no bridezilla so it was a breeze. I would be a witness though in a heartbeat, my name forever on that certificate. This is the last of my friend's weddings really though.

Next year however one of the boyfriend's best friends is getting married...in Jamaica.

It is going to cost a small fortune but I am looking forward to being a proper guest at a wedding not having to worry about my dress, a reading or if I can remember how to spell my name.

The venue looks amazing and we would never choose to go to Jamaica, mainly because of the cost, but I can't wait to see his friend's tie the knot on the end of a dock overlooking the sea.

The wedding is in July so I'm sure this blog will be populated with dilemmas on what I am going to wear and the impending payment dates.

So raise a glass of rum to the Jamaican nuptials.

Run Charlie Run less than five weeks to go

With less than five weeks to go to say I am nervous about the Great South Run is probably an understatement.

I have been running quite a bit with my boyfriend running partner. The other weekend we did nine miles, which was hard but I did it and was really proud of myself, the Great South is ten miles.

We have been running every other day, which has not been ideal as I haven't had time to recover. I do think I have it in my legs and body to do ten miles, but the fear has set in.

Everyone says the crowd will carry me through, I don't mind what time I do it in as long as I finish.

I am enjoying running and aim to do the Great South Run every year to keep it up. It will be nice though relaxing my running schedule. I do like my weekend early morning run though, having the whole day to do what I want, so will probably keep that up.

What is also helping my drive is that I am running for a worthwhile charity - Mind.

If you would like to donate you can here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/runcharlierun

Memories.....The Spice Girls

It is true that music can evoke memories, can take you back to a time gone by and make you feel the same way you did then.

Recently I have been listening to a lot of the Spice Girls, the greatest hits to be precise. No matter what mood I am in I can guarantee that after listening to Wannabe, Who do you think you are or Spice up your life I have a happy glow and feel instantly better.

I was 10 when the Spice Girls came out in 1996. I remember a girl in my class had printed off the lyrics to Wannabe, I didn't have sky or music channels at home so had no idea who they were but we sung the songs and made up dance routines.

When I did see them for the first time I was hooked and my obsession grew over the next few years. I had everything Spice Girls; the dolls, a cardboard cut out of Scary Spice (each of the girls had nicknames created by Smash Hits magazine - Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger), stickers, an alarm clock, pillows, you name it I had it still have it I hope up in my loft.

Spice Girls were the face of Pepsi, Walkers crisps and Cadbury's chocolate so no other brand would do, if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.


I had platform trainers, one pair were black trainers with a white flatform heel, which I defaced. In the Move Over video/Pepsi advert Geri had a similar pair with Pepsi written on, so I did the same with permanent maker. My mum was not happy. I also, shamefully, had a neon green PVC pair of platform trainers that I even wore to school! My best friend at the time even tried to nick them, I loved them but looking back they were a thing of their time.

I remember being late for school once as me and my friend were waiting for the premiere of the Spice up your life video on MTV, the only time I was late for school.

If they were in any magazine be it Smash Hits, Top of the Pops or TV Hits I bought it and cut out each page and picture. I had folders full of interviews and even got the inflatable dolls from Smash Hits.

I remember being jealous of my sister's neon coloured Spice Girls puffa jackets.

I never got to see them live at the time but did see their comeback gig at the O2 a few years ago, a massive concert highlight for me.

Growing up Girl Power was a big thing to me, the Spice Girls made you realise 'yer you are a girl and you can be yourself and be who you want to be'. They were my idols and I think without Girl Power 90s I wouldn't be the person I am today.

I am going to see the Spice Girls musical in December - Viva Forever written by Jennifer Saunders, I can't wait, even just to hear the tunes sung live again.

Whenever I hear a Spice Girls song I can't help but smile, they were the first band I truly became obsessed with and are a part of me and growing up. I will also make sure my kids know all the words and love them.

So...

Viva the Spice Girls!!!!

Mel C, Mel B, Emma, Geri and Victoria!

Lady Gaga, Twickenham Stadium, London, 08/09/2012

Better late than never, but here is my half review half gush-fest of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball.

I have seen Gaga twice already, as support for the Pussycat Dolls just after Just Dance came out and a year or so a go as part of the Monsters Ball.

I love her and know she can put on a show, the Monsters Ball was just £29 for the ticket and Gaga must have run at a loss, this time however, she learnt her lesson and the ticket price almost doubled.

It was well worth it though. Her set was a castle and of course there was a story line which I didn't quite get but it added something else.

The concert from start to finish was phenomenal. Her voice is amazing and when she sung Imagine it was breathtaking, her voice is heavenly and soulful, just her and a piano.

Even though Gaga is a little over the top to some she does love her fans and is very humble thanking them for buying a ticket. To thank them she got some on stage and invited others back tage, now to some you may think it is just all talk but not Gaga I think she is true to her word.

Of course she came on late which meant she finished late and I'm not sure if she didn't include it at all in this tour but she didn't perform Poker Face or Alejandro which was a shame but then you forget how many good songs she does have.

She also spoke about the first time she played record execs Born This Way, they told her it was too 'niche', and with a smirk on her face she said to the audience 'Some f**king niche, I have filled an stadium with a niche'.

She also said 'So many of you here how come the album was a flop?' But my friend was there and didn't have the second album, she had just bought the singles and I do wonder how many other people did the same.

I cannot say how much I love Gaga her brashness and unapologetic nature she is who she is so deal with it. She was 'born this way'.

Every time I see her she gets better and better, it does freak me out though that we are the same age.

Another thing you should mention if you go to a Gaga gig is the audience. Some of Gaga's monsters got all out, there were meat dresses, costumes from the Telephone video and various cover shoots. Most of them were obviously fashion students as I don't think I would be able to make those things but they were fantastic and the girls (and some boys) deserve a round of applause.

It was just a great atmosphere and I haven't sung, laughed and danced so much at a gig in age. Gaga is indeed Queen Monster and just fantastic! All Hail Gaga!

Act I
Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)
Government Hooker
Born This Way
Black Jesus - Amen Fashion
Bloody Mary
Bad Romance
Judas

Act II
Fashion Of His Love
Just Dance
LoveGame
Telephone

Act III
Heavy Metal Lover
Bad Kids

Piano Ballads
Hair
Princess Die
Imagine
You & I

Act IV
Electric Chapel
Paparazzi
Scheibe

Act V
The Edge of Glory
Marry the Night