Follow the leader, leader, leader

So last night, for the first time EVER, I lead a group training run... not only a group training run but a run for 18people... on a 10k route... that I had only run once before.

I have probably mentioned elsewhere on this blog that I am a member of GoodGym - a running group who also does good deeds - and whilst the usual GoodGym Hackney run leader is away on holiday I have been asked to cover a couple of runs... and last night was the first of these runs.

Earlier this year, I did my Leadership in Running Fitness qualification and was keen to put it to use so jumped at the chance to lead the run.

I must admit I was more than just a little bit nervous - my main worries were losing people on the run and/or getting lost myself. I did a practice run on the Sunday and was feeling pretty confident I knew the way but there was still a small part of me which was sure I wouldn't remember. In all my briefing and dynamic warm up worries I did end up heading out on the run in my fur snood... this was probably for the best because I am suffering with a chest infection... however, I did look absurd!! I did enjoy wearing a nice big scarf though and have been trying to track down a good running scarf so can someone make one please?! Thanks!

Anywayyyyy...Despite my worries, everything went to plan and I really enjoyed it!! I mean, I am not sure if I enjoyed it at the time but I got a buzz from people saying "I enjoyed that" and "thanks for a great run".

I am looking forward to hosting a GoodGym Hackney run again next week but am keen on leading some of my own runs, along a route I choose... maybe it can be a new goal for 2014!

My first Yoga class

I have blogged before about my preconceptions and worries about starting Pilates but that I decided to take the plunge and sign up to some classes. And I loved it but it was only a 10week course of classes and to be fair they were at a community centre... so perhaps I didn't confront my fears as much as I could have done...!

However, I have now confronted my Yoga fears and, as with the Pilates, they were completely unfounded! As I am a bit skint at the moment I was loathed to sign up to some Yoga classes having not cased out whether I even liked Yoga! So I signed up to a Sweaty Betty Yoga class in their new Jubilee Place Canary Wharf store.

I LOVE Sweaty Betty and have always been intrigued as to how they manage to run classes in such a small space. Arriving early for the class meant that I saw the magic happen as islands of clothes were pushed back, lights lowered and yoga mats set up ready for a class of nine to fit in.

Looking around at the group I started to feel pretty nervous - not many of the girls seemed to know each other and I quickly got chatting to a girl who hadn't taken part in this class before. I was reassured that the class was for beginners and we started.

The class was great! I felt like I was supported with each move but offered opportunities to try more advanced positions. I wasn't as bad as I thought I was going to be, I think a lot of that was down to the Pilates.

To be honest as much as I enjoyed the yoga, which was A LOT, I was feeling a bit like it was just a less core focused version of the Pilates I had been doing. But what was different, and will make me book another class, is the few minutes at the end laying on my mat with my eyes closed taking the time to let the stress of the day melt away. It is so rare in my life that I just stop and relax... it made me realise that it is something to cherish and something to actively make time for if not every day at least once a week.

Do you do Yoga? What does it give you?