Half minus one equals fun

I was at my friend's Baby Shower last night. We had a great evening...lots of laughs, lots of delicious Chinese takeaway and some scrummy cake pops.

Having promised myself I'd keep an eye on the time, it was well past 11pm before I noticed which meant a midnight bedtime...not the best preparation for a long run the next day, but who cares?!

I was surprisingly wide awake at 7am, so made the most of it and was up and out by half past.

It was really windy, but at least it was warm and dry...for the first three miles...and then I got caught in a heavy downpour.

I'd planned to do twelve miles in three circuits of four miles, heading back past home through the run to grab a snack and a drink. The first four miles went past really quickly, although there were long stretches where I was running headlong into the wind which made it hard going.

The second circuit was also done in good time, and I was ahead of my virtual partner for almost the entire time. I wasn't far from home when my phone began to ring - youngest daughter wanted to know how I was doing, and if I'd like company.

By the time I made my second pit stop for some more water and a banana she was ready and raring to go on her bike.

With my outrider ahead of me, I set off for my third and final circuit. It was a great distraction to have someone to talk to, and at just over nine miles when I began to flag she was there to encourage me and keep me focused.

So - 12 miles done and back home by 10am. Not a bad start to a Saturday.

I'm giving myself a pat on the back for covering the distance, and trying not to think that I've got to double that and add some in a few weeks time. It's a good job there's a medal and a massage waiting at the end!