12 Memorable Moments: June

June saw the unthinkable. The unimaginable. Minds boggled at hearing what I had chosen for June's memorable moment.

The Wolf Run.

The Wolf Run is a 10K off road obstacle course that is made of man made and natural obstacles and....a lot of mud.

Now anyone that knows me knows that this is obserd. I am not the sportiest person out there. Infact, I only went to my first and last sports day out of pure dislike for anything competitive.  May I add, running is a particular dislike of mine. Now, I have warmed to it in the more recent years, done a little jog here and there but honestly, I just can't do it.

In a moment of spontaneity (and optimism) my friend and I signed up for the Wolf Run. For a little taste, watch the video below.

June soon came around and after a failed attempt at training due to a mixture of laziness, busy schedule and well lets face it, fear the day was soon upon us. Pushing to the back of my mind the fact I could barely complete 4 miles two days before, I went energetic.

People go as 'packs' (yes a witty pun on The Wolf Run title) and you are then put into time slots. We watched all the packs before us in fear. I remember thinking, why are they already walking? as I watched people slowly emerge from the first obstacle, a river.

After a warm up session with the coaches I was already concerned about what was ahead. But too late we were running and jumping into the river. I emerged, shell shocked at the weight of the water pulling me back down and looked up to find my friends already out screaming at me to come on.

Lets be honest, I had it coming.

I have no fitness capability and no upper body strength which was tested at the next hurdle of jumping over some big tractor wheels. My calves were pulled as I yanked my leg out of sinking mud and trembled as I watched people loose their shoes under the swap.

Drinking water wasn't in sight until half way and I have never been so happy to see little white cups filled with clear H20 (and an excuse to stop without looking like the unfit one of the pack).

Moving swiftly on I remember being faced with a wall that I had to climb not long after yet another muddy meeting. The wall only had two slots for your feet. The wall was made up of curved wooden poles and was covered in mud from the previous obstacle making it impossible to get any grip. No upper body strength and a fear of heights I thought I really had met 'the wall'. My friends soon helped me up and after balancing on top of what felt like bloody mount everest when you are afraid of heights I dropped down and high fived my friends with immense happiness. It really spurs you on knowing you are achieving something and you have the support of everyone around you.

The middle section got easier. admittedly I was still pretty awful but I was running more than I ever had before and was just getting on with it. It's hard running through all the mud when you are slipping all over the place trying not to twist your ankle. Even if I finished 5 hours later, I wanted to finish.

Other obstacles included a water slide where everyone jumped head first and dodged the camera man who conveniently stood in the middle of the track to film you. More mud appeared, rivers, climbing walls, hay bales and fields that seemed to stretch far further.

When it came to the end I started to feel 'the wall' again but told myself, this is a race for myself (what all losers say haha). I stopped when I needed to and pushed myself when I could.

Unfortnately there is noway you can take pictures on the way round. People lost shoes so I don't think my Samsung Galaxy would have made the cut.

Finishing was a feeling I haven't felt for ages. Wading through the last river hand in hand with my friends seeing the finish line was so amazing. I can certainly remember the adrenaline rush I felt for the rest of the day, the pure sense of achievement and overwhelming happiness. I definitely should have trained more but knowing what I had just endured was incredible.

I can honestly say this was the best memorable moment yet. We finished in just over 2 hours and for someone who could barely complete 4 miles before is an amazing achievement. Make it all better I raised £220 for Help For Heroes, a charity I really think help makes a difference. Despite the moments I thought I would never finish, was up to my waist in mud, sat at the top of a wall fearing I would break my neck and all bumps and bruises , I will always remember it as a great experience.

It has really highlighted to me what you can do with just a little fitness and what I could achieve if I had and do do more. It really is something everyone must experience and as for Team Wild....WE DID IT!

Twelve memorable moments: April Part Two

HELLO APRIL
The end of April took me out of the country (HURRAH!)

I can't tell you the last time I got on a plane it was that long ago. I don't know what I was more excited about at this stage, just the thought of rolling my suitcase through the airport and handing over my passport was just too damn exciting.

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention. I WENT TO FLORENCE!

The trip came about in celebration of my Mums birthday in February. I wanted to experience a new city, discover and my Mum, well she was up for the same. A Birthday is always a good excuse of a city break, right?

So, everyone tells you  Florence is beautiful, to quote: 'The whole city is a museum'.

And isn't it just.

READY, SET, GO.
I  was so busy at work prior the trip I barely had time to think about anything to do with the break. Which actually for me, was a good thing. I had no expectations which meant everything was a surprise.

A short bus ride from the airport we trailed our suitcases through the city centre. I couldn't believe it when suddenly we came across The Duomo  - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in the centre. I wasn't expecting it and it definitely didn't disappoint. The architecture is incredible. Here and throughout everywhere I visited in Florence I found it impossible to get my head around how old these statues and buildings were and the level of detail, the exceptional craft. That yes, people had created these.

A PLACE TO REST ONES HEAD.
Leaving the proper tourist snoop until the next morning we headed to our B&B. Right in the centre we were so incredibly lucky with our choice of stay. Literally a stones throw away we were situated next to Florence's most famous square and open air sculpture exhibit,  Piazza della Sinoria and the local town hall,  Palazzo Vecchio. The square was also filled with delicious Italian restaurants that we took full advantage of and lit up the square magically in the evening.

Our B&B was amazing. Camouflaged into the square, you wouldn't even know it existed with a door blending into the old buildings. Inside, stone stair cases lead up to our room. Though the lack of a lift was tiring on the arms and legs lugging up my overpack suitcase it added to the charm of the inn that homed us for our stay.

The room was amazing for the price we paid. A beautiful bathroom on it's own level with a wardrobe with steps leading down to the bedroom which was spacious and beautifully decorated. We even had a sofa in the room to kick back and relax. The breakfast was another amazing bonus. Situated in a small dining room the mix of fresh fruit, croissants, parma ham, cheese and fruit juices layed out on a dinning table. This idea originally wasn't too my taking but it was actually lovely to sit with other guests which was only another two people at a time. Looking back at all other holidays, what is the fun in sitting isolated to your own pack when you can learn more about other people?

The staff were brilliant. Offering hot drinks and discreetly replenishing the breakfast on offer they chatted and offered great advice for our short stay in the city, even if all the places sounded the same...

DAY ONE.
We visited Galleria dell' Academia on our first full day which houses Michelangelo's David and many other incredible paintings and sculptures. I'll admit, I don't hunt out this type of art on a daily basis, its not really been my thing. But I do believe, you can't help but appreciate it all no matter what you are into. The craftsmanship as I mentioned earlier is just, captivating. Sadly, no photos are allowed, so you will just have to go and experience it all for yourself. (Oh, what a shame).

We continued our first day by leisurely walking through the amazing leather markets on offer. It took us a while to find them which seems crazy as when you are there as there is so much going on but somehow it seemed tucked away which makes Florence so beautiful.

One minute a grand Cathedral, next deserted backstreets with graffiti and then markets full tourists and local shoppers.

Of course I shopped and purchases included some amazing jewellery, scarves and later in the trip some leather bounded notebooks which were stamped with the Fleur de Lis and a few leather bracelets. Im not into the whole key chain thing anymore, I want quality and things I will actually use. And for the record, the myth is true, it is pretty expensive. I mean, when I was there I thought I was getting a good price but looking back, it wasn't as cheap as I thought...oops!

Swap city cinemas and instead we saw the sunset on Florence that evening. Walking to the top of what seems Florence highest point we took in Florence's beautiful skyline in all its glory.

DAY TWO.
Our final full day was at The Duomo where we waited for 3 hrs 30 mins in a line to get to the top. YES. OVER 3 HOURS! Just before closing time too which was 1pm that day. All I'm saying is, for their own sanity, they are glad they let us in...

500 + steps later, I won't lie, the view was spectacular. Looking over the city with the bell tower of the cathedral below, it was a sea of terracotta and quaint streets with hidden gems. On the way up to the top you take an unexpected trip around the top of the inside of the Duomo. It was incredible to see the paintings that were on the top of the dome. Literally, I just can't imagine describe and no pictures justify, it is a must to see.

Our final evening in Florence took us a walk across the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Again, another amazing view. A little history lesson for you....The Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345 and was Florence's first bridge across the Arno River. Visiting in 2014 it is as beautiful as I expect it was when first built with beautiful terracotta shaded houses decorating the river.

The bridge itself houses quaint jewellery shops which walking across reminded me of something out of Harry Potter. Now that seems quite a 'wrong' statement but with the hustle and bustle and music being played in the street and glittering jewellery in the windows whilst the sun is setting, I hope you know I mean the more sophisticated Harry Potter scene...

BACK TO REALITY.
A flight back to the UK with a plane, two trains and a car journey that total journey took 8 hours its hard to imagine Florence is still ticking away in all its glory. Coming back to the countryside with my Dads chickens clucking away, though beautiful in its own way, it makes Florence feel like a dream

I think as memorable moments go, this is going to be hard to beat.

Twelve Memorable Moments: April Part One

April was an eventful month and a successful one at that.

The month started off with a basketball match my friend Jodie booked us to go see. Why a basketball match I hear you ask? Well, when your friend is on the hunt for some athletic, super tall men then it's a pretty good place to start.

I am up for anything at the moment, trying new things is at the core to this New Years Resolution so I was happy to go along and witness a sport I think is rather cool and never seen before. I won't lie, I think I was expecting hot dogs, popcorn, cheerleaders, bright lights in a  big stadium.

A local gym in the hood of Solihul didn't quite make the cut but some rowdy northern fans made it...colourful to say the least.

So we sat down to watch the Birmingham Knights (our supporting team) VS the Newcastle Eagles.

Tall men were definitely not far in sight, cheerleaders they were in UK form, popcorn and hotdogs? Dammit, nowhere!

I was a bit disappointed with the lack of team spirit from our Birmingham Knights supporters, the Newcastle Eagles definitely put us to shame with their drums, horns and chants but as the game went on, we definitely got into it.

There was a some game play tension and a cute half time where the kids in the audience got to shoot some hoops to win their own basketball.

The boys did well but unfortunately lost overall 71-87 but the game was fun and I would definitely go again. I wish I could tell you some more technical commentary but my basketball vocabulary is pretty limited.

I would LOVE to see a proper American Basketball match, I can imagine the atmosphere is electric! For a UK game I think it was great fun and definitely an experience I won't forget and I recommend anyone to go along and support their own local team.