Day 15
Well, the Garmin somehow returned from the dead and I successfully tracked and uploaded today’s 8 miles to Strava. This morning’s run can be titled ‘the sunrise that kept on giving’. The higher the sun reached above the horizon, the better the picture got, filling the sky was a hue of orange and pinks. And some people question why some of us love the early morning…
Yesterday I made a start to my goal number one for this year: to upload more of my own creative content. I am stoked to finally have started this process after what has been years of debating the idea. Weekly videos, every Wednesday, between now and the end of the year. I’m amped and I’ve already made a start on next week’s upload. If you haven’t already, feel free to give the video a watch:
Today marks halfway through the 30-day daily blog challenge and I’m going use it to share 5 of my latest favourite things:
1. Dessert Flavoured Shower Gel:
My girlfriend and I were wondering the aisles of Tesco a few weekends ago. For years, I’ve wondered why shower gel’s, shampoos, general scented goods used for body hygiene, etc don’t exist in trendy sweet food smells. I know cocoa butter has been around for a while, but I’ve always wanted a salted caramel deodorant or vanilla bean shampoo.
So I was genuinely ecstatic when we found a Cherry Bakewell Tart shower gel. My day’s are that little bit better now I get in the shower after my morning run and cover myself in sweet delicious scented liquid soap. I have since tried the Foamy Banana and Marshmallow flavours, but Bakewell Tart is still winning. If Imperial Leather are paying attention: An Apple Cinnamon Crumble gel or maybe a Caramel Macchiato shampoo for your next creation?
2. Blogging: In the last 15 days I have taken to blogging. I am absolutely loving this platform, more than anything, for the therapeutic side of just putting thoughts into words. As far as this blog goes, I want to carry it on past the 30-day challenge. So what I intend to do is get a website. At the end of this 30-day run, which I am going call ‘The Pilot Season’, I will publish this website so that Season 2 will be one level up. Sound good? I am thinking 30 days per season, continuing on with the daily posts.
3. The Great River Ouse:
I am lucky to live along the banks of the Great River Ouse. As someone who loves running, it provides some incredible routes that bank alongside the water. My new favourite route is to run from the gym (next to work) through the town of Huntingdon, along the river all the way up to Houghton Mill – it provides the perfect backdrop for my morning miles and I honestly can’t get enough of it. If you’re a Cambridgeshire local, even if you don’t like running, I recommend a nice autumnal walk – especially in the early AM.
4. Plyometric Workout’s:
Plyometrics aren’t anything new to me but lately I’ve been enjoying how they make me feel. My brother (shout out to @GingerTraining), who is a fully qualified Strength & Conditioning coach, got me onto plyometric exercises after a series of injuries a few years ago. They are explosive movements that ignite the type 2 fast-twitch muscle fibres. I don’t know a huge amount of detail in the sports science behind it, but if you’re a distance runner and you want to make improvements to speed and time, as well as a less injury prone body, then including plyometric exercises in your strength routine is a must. The morning after a plyometric session and a good stretch I have fresh springy legs – ready to pound the pavement for a good hour or so; day in, day out.
5. Late September/Early October Sunrise.
The nature of this time of year means it typically gets over looked but I honestly think it’s one of the best. One thing is that, this time of year lacks the media buzz of any forth coming holiday, which is refreshing. But, it’s those early morning sunrises with the red skies that really get me going about this time of year. The air gets crisp but not too cold, the mist rises off the water and I just love the feeling of opportunity as the day gets started.
Half way through the pilot season! Starting this blog is something that I could have spent ages thinking about but due to the Steal Like An Artist logbook, I just started it without any real plan or direction. I find it the best way to start anything is to let it manifest into its own creation, the important thing is that you’re doing it, not just thinking about it.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I enjoy writing them. Gonna write them either way though…
Peace & love.
BG
benedict. 