2021: The Best Year Yet! May edition

Who can't believe April is over? *raises hand*

Where the hell has all the time gone?

But how good does it feel to be able to see a few more friends? To be able to drink a well-pulled pint or have a draught cider because you can. How good does it feel to see a few friends and not have to worry about the weather because it is actually g etting better...? (Although today is pretty cold... maybe we'll give it until middle of May...)

I feel like I've accomplished quite a lot in April, both in work and personal parts of my life. Work wise, I've finished the first module of my qualification, passing my exam on May 1st (technically not April but close enough) so I can start to focus on the next module. And with Shipping Week speeding towards us in September, it's busy with work as we start to prepare for physical events again, which is really exciting. Having the role of helping with some big comms and commercial events, it'll be good to get back to it. Personal wise, in the last 30 days, I've written nearly 12 chapters of Forked Roads Back, and I'm now at a point where I'm actually happy with where the storyline for book 3 is going to go - yes there is going to be a book 3! I've been able to see more friends in the last two weeks than I basically did the whole of last year, so it's a huge, happy boost to my social brain.

So what have I got to look forward to in May?

15th May, I'm running a 10k... Time to see how much all these Courtney Black workouts have helped with my running stamina. 17th May... the GREATEST DAY in all history. Cinemas are reopening. I haven't booked in quite yet because Cineworld hasn't reopened their booking site yet - yes, I am that saddo who has been checking - but don't you worry I'll be seeing a film as soon as they're open. I've got things and plans booked in with friends, a 10k in a couple of weeks, a holiday booked for July and I could NOT be more excited.

PHYSICAL HEALTH - MAY EDITION

So as I've already mentioned above, I'm running a 10k in 2 weeks - I thought it was in October, but no more excuses, I'm running it and that's that! - so my challenge this month is running. I want to try and complete 2 (maybe 3) 10ks a week in May... which is doable (as I ran 4 miles, which is almost 10k) last week and it wasn't awful. So hopefully, for the run on the 15th I'll have given myself enough training so my legs aren't dead the next day like last time. I didn't enjoy being physically cranked out of the car when I fell asleep on the way home with my legs on the dashboard. Ouchies.

The other challenge is to walk more. I signed up to do the Big Hike in September this year, raising money with work to walk in the Peak District, and we've been given a training plan for that. So in amongst running 10ks and trying to avoid shin splints again, you'll be seeing some significant steps... as I'm planning to walk all over if I can on the weekends... and I'm hoping some friends will join me! Details and pictures from walks to be added below when they happen.

MENTAL HEALTH - MAY EDITION (31/31)

I quite enjoyed sharing my colouring this month... but I think for May, it has to be food. Now that we're allowed out to restaurants again, I plan to fill this particular blog post with 31 delicious-looking meals that'll make your mouths water. Food makes me happy - whether it be a plain digestive biscuit, a beautiful chocolate brownie or a 4-course pub meal with sides. 31 plates. 31 foodies. That's the challenge. And let's face it, it won't be a challenge, as we have some pretty tasty Hello Fresh recipes lined up over the next few weeks!

THE OTHER STUFF:

FILM YEAR TALLY = Jan 33 / Feb 41 / Mar 23 / Apr 24 = (121)

MAY EDITION: FILM TALLY - 24

This Means War, Sweet Home Alabama, Onward, How To Train Your Dragon, How To Train Your Dragon 2, The Choice, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Godzilla, Something Borrowed, The Amazing Spider-Man, Love and Monsters, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Treasure Planet, Babe, Pokemon Detective Pikachu, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Robin Hood, The Art of Getting By, Modern Persuasion, Real Steel, Pacific Rim, Skyfall, Godzilla vs Kong, Cruella

MAY EDITION: BOOK TALLY - 3

The Heart Exchange (Wattpad Book)

Maybe One Day (Wattpad Book)

Denying Dylan (Wattpad Book)