Oh, January....

I thought of this as I was running my 5K today. It was cold, and I was thinking how I couldn't wait for the warmer weather to arrive. A dog walker laughed at me as I passed, saying to her, "Lord knows why I'm doing this..."

But I told myself this was me, making myself fitter, stronger and healthier for 2018. If I was taught anything from last year, you just don't know what real life is going to throw at you, and I want to make sure I'm at my strongest mentally and physically when I receive the next curve ball.

However, trying to be clean in January is practically impossible, as I still have chocolate hanging around, and cheese and biscuits, and cake. I don't like wasting food. I can't just throw it out - besides some of it belongs to the boys!

I'm trying to be good, but I think I'll be able to make a more concerted effort February, with less chocolate and treats still filling my cupboards. February, I'll try harder at sticking at being clean Monday to Friday. Of course weekends are the 20% naughtiness we're allowed.

Anyway, how's your 2018 going so far? I think it takes a couple of weeks to get back into routine and back on track.

Whilst Running...

Sometimes, just sometimes, (like today) when I'm not even a mile in to my run, and know I have another three more miles to go, I'm wondering why the hell I do it. Why do I run? Especially now the weather is turning and getting colder...

It feels like an effort to put one foot in front of the other...

I'm thinking why don't I just not exercise and let myself get out of shape...

Then, once I've finished my four mile run, I realise I feel fantastic. I know that sacrificing forty minutes of my spare time, making time for me, was worth it.

My general outlook in life has improved, my mood has been lifted and I'm in a better frame of mind. I've even had forty minutes to brainstorm any writing I'm working on. And on the plus side, I can still fit in my clothes :)

Inspiration From Strange Places

This morning I managed a run, all 3.11 miles/5kms, but I struggled, having my son's cold.  I wanted to give up after two miles.

I do find now that I run, I don't suffer with colds like I used to (touches wood) - watch me now, I'll be struck down and bedridden! This cold hasn't made me feel too miserable, put it this way.

Not only does it keep me fit, running does give me just over thirty minutes of brainstorming.  In fact so much so I can be thinking about my hero or heroine my pace slows. Not so good when trying to race myself.

Today, I decided on a name for a character who's brewing up. I already had the idea of him being an ex-fireman (due to an idea of him giving a fireman's carry), suffering with post traumatic stress - or something like that, and that's why he had to leave the profession.  (Don't worry, I will do my research, but at this point, it's just about getting ideas out there, whether they're realistic or not can come later).  I had this idea that it would be because he couldn't save someone who was involved in a terrible car accident or something.  Well, today I came up with that the 'woman' would be his lover - to give him the extra angst he needs.  So five years down the line (or something) he's built up a business of his own, bit of a ladies man, not really interested in finding Mrs Right, she died five years ago ... when bam! His really annoying neighbour catches his eye.  (I want them to bicker at one another - sort of a sign of attraction without admitting it).

So a successful run; he's got a name (Jack, but it might change - he was Jason), and I've worked out why he's no longer a fireman, with some extra angst. Hurrah!

I also get my inspiration when I'm in the shower - maybe those ten minutes on my own, just allows my mind to drift - or when I'm doing the washing up.  There's not really a lot to think about while doing that, is there?  I'm trying to convince hubby that me having a lie in at the weekends I don't work IS brainstorming ...

So when does your inspiration strike, or when do you get your brainstorming sessions in?  Any weird ones?