Hey

I saw this amazing Polish band @ the Scala [Kings Cross] on Sunday [25th]

Beautiful

Kasia Nosowska was so captivating

one month + one day

since I ran a Kilomathon for Canine Partners...

And my left calf is still not happy about it. 

Why not make it worth my pain this payday and send some money the dogs' way.... 

http://www.justgiving.com/Laurabax

http://www.caninepartners.org.uk/Index.htm

one month to go....

 until I fly to Latvia to see the New Year in.

I can't wait to see it, so beautiful, I could be lost in architecture like this all day and be so happy.

SPONG

....

my Master

 Being poor gives you a chance to realise just how grateful you are to have a ride.  Also, it makes you stay home and 'chill' a lot more... I've actually found time to make friends with my sketchbook again.  I want to do this... But with my Master Piu and me... ha....

I haven't riden my beauty since my London to Brighton cycle in Septmeber - which ended up as a nice 70 mile outing that day.  Felt so good.   She's had a few changes since this photo - it's a few years old - and is currently out of my reach having another re-vamp.  Couting down the days till I have her back.  I think something like 50 miles would be a good celebration of the reunion.

Current Addiction

Avocados.  Also, painting my nails.  Seriously, every day.  Waiting for/traveling on public transport.  That spare 5 mins before the working day starts that should be spent consuming caffiene.  On my lunch break.  Before I'm rushing out at night.  Before I'm going to bed... There's always a spare few minutes that can incorporate it....


I got some wonderfully tacky diamonte nail stickers given to me this week, so kids/psychedlic nails have been for the win the last couple of days.

I want to do something like this though:

Peaks

and cows

 

October 2012

the world

I have this covering the wall next to my bed.
Next on my list is Latvia for New Years.
Excited.

Cosmik Debris

Tonight has been inspired by the beautiful sounds of this amazing man x

Mary Katrantzou

So cool

shave it for later

So, a recent obsession with all things moustache has now joined my eternal love for beards.
I have decided to inflict this upon others, in the form of knitted gifts.
They have (fortunately) been well received.

 

I got the pattern here for free

and the list keeps growing

 I've just finished reading The Beach by Alex Garland.  Absolutely amazing.  You have to read it. I'd seen the film but years ago, so I don't remember it, but I have to see it again now.  I'm a little sad this book is over.  It's definitely one I'll read again. 

The Shard

 fleeting in the morning

 looming at night

400+ miles

Some of my bees made a flight last week, to a new home in Scotland.

Safe journey little ones!

Kilomathon London 2012

So, I did it - I ran the London Kilomathon. 

 

26.2k (16.3m) in 2 hours 38 mins 9 secs. 

I was in full on training mode earlier in the summer - by far the best shape I have ever been in.  My goal was to run the course in 2:40.  Then life got in the way of running a little bit and I could feel my muscles slacking off. 

As the days counted down I became increasingly terrified (mixed with waves of excitement, I will admit) and guessed at a more realistic 3 hours for completion of the looming 'ordeal'. 

So, when I actually got past the halfway mark of 12k and hadn't stopped running, I was a little shocked by the acheivement, followed by pain, followed by stubbornness. 

After 20k, my left calf muscle left twisted and my right knee was in agony.  Energy was low and the pack of fellow runners had thinned, which meant that motivation was beginning to deplete. 
Then the stitch kicked in.  Hard.

I think I slowed to a walking pace on two occasions for the last 4k - my guess is that the time I spent doing so was 2-3 minutes.  My priority was that I completed the course without stopping.

Also the realisation that I could do it within my original target of 2:40 really spurred me on. 

When I made it over the finish line it was a hard task not to cry my eyes out; I felt so overwhelmed.

Even now I don't think it has even sunk in that I made it and that I didn't stop once.

I couldn't have done it without the encouragement and experienced advice of my amazing friend Helena, who also went to the effort of not only meeting me at the finish line, but meeting me with flowers, hobnobs and the best medal ever.  The other runners were so jealous.  A massive thankyou to her & everyone else who supported me.

I have been rasing sponsor money from this for Canine Partners - an amazing charity which trains guide dogs for disabled people, they do incredible work.  (My sponsorship page is accepting donations until the end of January 2012).

The Kilomathon is not a fun run but an endurance event.  The London one of 2012 took place Sunday 28th October, in Lee Valley Park.  The beautiful setting certainly helped get me through.

finger paint

glitter slime nails

+ 

space nails