Galentine's Weekend

This weekend was pretty bloody lovely.

On Saturday I headed over to run my 50th parkrun! I've been hoping to get to this milestone since my first parkrun back in August 2013. I was actually a little bit emotional, especially after asking the Run Director if I could have a shout out (he did and everyone clapped!). In two and a half years I've gone from running a 5K in 38:39 to a PB of 27:13, and I remember going to parkrun in Bramhall on my own nearly every weekend for over a year and not knowing anyone but just recognising a few faces and feeling part of a family, even though I never spoke to anyone. I've felt that even more at my home course of South Manchester and I really love that sense of community there.

50 runs means I get a tshirt which is pretty exciting too!

After doing the food shop and getting ready I went to my friend Riven's Galentine's Party! Now if you're not a Parks and Recreation fan like me you might be thinking, "what on earth is Galentine's Day?!" Let's have Queen Knope explain:

So on Saturday a group of us from work went to Riven's house for a day of delicious food, cocktails and a celebration of women! Riven baked quiches, cupcakes, cheesy scones, biscuits and rolls, and made pesto and whipped cheese for the occasion, as well as a cocktail from a teapot!

We also had a little gift exchange - each lady brought along a £5 gift and we had a bit of "secret santa" with Riven distributing the gifts, and she made each of us a pair of earrings, which Amy and I wrapped and added Leslie Knope compliments to the tags.

I brought my camera for a change because I don't feel like I practice my photography enough, and I knew there would be nice things to take photos of!

It was such a lovely afternoon - the food and drink was all amazing and we got to meet some of Riven's other friends, and it was so nice to have a girly dress up day!
Afterwards Phil picked me up and we went to his parents' to celebrate his Mum's birthday, but I was too full to enjoy any of the takeaway they ordered! I had room for some birthday cake of course...

On Sunday I woke up with a sore throat and a runny nose and had a real sulk about going out for my 3 hour run. I nearly turned around after 3 miles, but decided to suck it up and keep going, and I'm glad I did! 17 miles is really, really far though. I ended up running out of water, and I had to stop in Tesco to use the toilet which I've never had to do before!

When I got home Phil hadn't just tidied the flat but bought me roses. It was such a lovely surprise! We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day - Phil's birthday is in two weeks anyway, so we just got each other cards. We didn't have a very romantic day - we watched the Liverpool game, then I went home for a nap while Phil watched more football and I cooked us a not-very-romantic shepherd's pie!

Hope your weekend was equally lovely!

Charlotte x