About
My first 10k
I’m Cathy and this is my blog. That’s me above, just finishing my first 10k back in 2006. I’m actually looking for my friends who didn’t see me cross the finish line. Obviously, I was too much of a blur.
I started running after stopping smoking. I started smoking at around age 11 because, er, I don’t know why, probably because my friends did, or maybe just to piss my mum off. Or maybe that drag of a Marlborough my dad gave me when I was 5 started me off and I was just waiting until I was tall enough to see over the counter of the unscrupulous local shop that sold single cigarettes for 9p to the local under 16s.
25 years later I got fed up with smoking, so I read the Allen Carr book
When I’m not running (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time), you can usually find me studying for my degree in Creative & Professional Writing (I’ve finished my degree now. I got a 1st – just thought I’d sneak that in there), blogging over at Planet Veggie – my vegetarian recipe blog – or, more likely, in the pub.
If you’d like to contact me, you can email me at cathy@jog-blog.co.uk or fill in the form on the contact page.
Though I would just pop in to say hello. I’m an Australian but was in London a week ago and had a fantastic run with the Serpentine running club. We have some great runs in Oz, but I am very envious of London residents that they have such iconic runs available to them right on their doorstep. I hope to get back to the UK before too long.
Hi,
I found your site through Warriorwoman’s. Just thought I’d pop by to say that your blog’s very amusing, and inspires me to get off my arse and go running even when I’ve got a massive hangover or would rather go to the pub. Which is most days. Warriorwoman did encourage me to start my own blog but my runs aren’t really interesting enough.
It’s a shame I don’t live in London otherwise I’d be up for becoming a new SAS recruit.
HI emma!
thought to say hi too. I used to live in london and now i’m in dublin. trying to get a bit faster, but just trying really 🙂
keep up the good work!
can I link you to my blog??
Hi Monica!
My blog is at http://emmavinyard.blogspot.com/
Like I said, there’s not much there yet as I don’t think my running (or life in general) is interesting enough for anyone else to want to read! But feel free to link or whatever.
i can’t access your site from work, but I’ll check it out and add a link later from home.
Hi, sorry I didn’t drop by sooner. Things a bit manic. Are people nagging you for not running much recently? If not, NAG NAG NAG NAG NAG. There you go, you should feel better now.
Hope to see you soon!
Hey, also to let you know that I took your advice and signed up for the Girl Geek Dinners…
Ok, I’ll say hello too. I am from the US. I run/jog a little bit and am more of an enthusiast. Check out my jogging website at JogNRun.com. Love your blog, it’s really entertaining :).
Hi
I stopped coming to your site because I stopped running but I am back into it now training for a 14km Run in late May.Luckily I live in Perth, Western Australia so no Hills and definitely NO Snow although we did have a bit of hale the other day.
Keep up the Running and keep up the blogging.
Hi Cathy
The Allen Carr wrote quite an effective book didn’t he? I have a similar story:
I’ve just discovered you and looking forward to reading more. Congratulations.
Cheers
Mulk
Love your blog, it’s so funny and really inspiring too… I found it as I’ve been looking for inspiration on the internet from people what run… I’ve being running for a while now but have now got the scary prospect of the big London Town Marathon in … what?… 20 weeks! eek! Have to do it too… no backing out as I got my place through my running club after receiving the pissed-off faces with big no entry signs magazine!
After reading some blogs I’m thinking it’s time to start my own… I think it might be a bit like when I did weight-watchers… if I have to stand in front of someone (even virtually) and admit what I’ve actually done… I’ll have to do it! can’t lie to the big t’interweb after all!!
Thanks for your inspiration and humour… x
Well done for organising the logistics of the whole Janathon thing. Really need a kick to get back into running and want to make this it. See you at the finish line.
Thanks,
Phil
Good morning Cathy,
Nice blog, I like it! I have a similar story being to yours, got myself sorted out a few years ago and never looked back. I’ve been running for a few years but never really took it seriously. I’ve done a handful of races which I really enjoyed. Anyway I’ve decieded to take it more seriouly, training correctly, eating well and racing!!
Cathy I’d just like to say this is the first time I’ve visited your site, and it looks excellent, very similar to mine infact. This is a total coincidence, which I’m taking as a compliment because you are a web designer and I’m…well…not! Which means I fluked it!
I look forward to reading more.
Hi Emma
I just stumbled upon your blog, I bloody love it. Your posts are so funny and there is so much of it rings true with me. Same as you I gave up cigs at 25 and started running. I’m 30 now and have just started blogging for a charity swim with my friend. I would love it if you can have a look at my blog and give me any tips on how to keep folk interested. I am boring myself at the moment.
I think I am going to have to put some time aside and get reading your archive for some inspiration.
Keep in running and expect a blog plug from me.
Sammy x
God I am so embarrassed, I called yoe Emma. I am such a idiot, please accept my apologies Cathy. I had just read a comment by emma and it managed to slip onto the keyboard.
wish I could go back and edit 🙁
I have just started a blog after taking up running… reading inspiring (and amusing 😉 ) blogs like yours makes me want to carry on. I have recently given up smoking and I hope I have the willpower that you have obviously had.
My girlfriend is trying desperately to quit smoking. If only it was she and not I who stumbled across your blog while looking for examples for designing my own running/writing blog. Inspirational stuff here. Thank you.