Sheffield Half Marathon - Race Report

Good morning all.

As I had mentioned briefly, I ran my very first half-marathon on Sunday! In Sheffield it was 25 degrees before 9am, the sky was cloudless and I figured I was going to get heat stroke and die. However, I prevailed! I had aimed to get the 13.1 miles done in under 2 hours 30 minutes and I smashed that at 2:23:48 - and in this heat! Needless to say I am over the moon with this time and can't wait to sign up for another to see if I can get it in sub 2:10.

Here is me pre-race feeling a little nervous in my ACE SHORTS.

My good friend Chris having a little lunge.

The race is a 13.1 mile route down the valley of Sheffield starting in a bustling Don Valley Stadium at 9am. This race is a road race with lots of major roads being closed for the morning and despite being in Sheffield the route is fairly flat with only 3 inclines (I wouldn't call them hills - but then again I'm from Sheffield). There was no issue with toilets as there are loads in the stadium, (hurrah for the lack of portaloos) -and baggage was quick and painless.

The atmosphere was incredible, with people cheering at most points along the route. You knew that you were going to get a much needed buzz at the busier parts of the race such as Ecclesall road which is mile 5.5-7.5. There was a band, cheerleaders and hundreds of spectators all making a racket for the runners. It was amazing and I couldn't stop grinning! A perfect halfway mark.

The race began to get tough at mile 10.5 where I had lost my running partner and the heat was starting to get  to me, especially hard as I hadn't trained any further than 9.83 miles! My jelly babies had melted into a gooey deposit in my arm band but I still managed to save a couple for some sugary goodness.

There was a great moment at mile 12. You are running parallel to the stadium as it beckons you back in and I stopped and walked, I just felt defeated. A big burly bloke stopped and handed me half his water "Just finish it lass!" which was an unexpected relief. Looking behind me I saw another big burly bloke struggling in the heat so offered him the remainder of this water which he was very grateful for. Spurred on, I ran the last mile in some serious pain, but I ran it!

The best bit had to be running onto the track at Don Valley and seeing the timer at sub 2:30 - I woo'd and threw my arms up! I had just run a half marathon. Who on earth would have thought it?

Now, I don't want to get too soppy here - but I might. I'm not sporty and I never have been, but I went for a run 5 months ago on Christmas Day 2011 out of sheer boredom and now I'm writing this report. The process of getting better at running is what has kept me going, I love the competition against myself and beating times and distances. Just have a look at my 5K ParkRun stats -

No I'm not a fast runner, but in those four months I've improved so much and I think I'm allowed to feel badass for it. By the end of the summer I want to be sub 27 minutes on my 5K! I'm loving the mere thought of the challenge.

Those of you who say you can't run, look at ME. Anyone who knows me knows that this whole running thing is a little out of character to say the least! You CAN run. It's hard and it hurts and you miss out on fun things just so you can get up the next day and run for miles and miles but it is worth it. The glory is unrivaled.

For inspiration look out for these women on these websites:

http://bangsandabun.com/
http://spikesandheels.com/
http://www.orsii.com/
http://www.imrunningipromise.com/


GET YOUR TRAINERS ON AND SIGN UP FOR A RACE
G x

The Sheffield Vintage Fair

Ladies and Gents,

I've just run my first half marathon! But more on that later. First of all, let me share my Cyndi Lauper style get up that I wore for yesterday's Vintage Fair at Sheffield Town Hall.

It was a gloriously sunny day in Sheffield yesterday and I got to spend the majority of it sat at the welcome desk smiling and stamping hands - don't get me wrong, I loved it! But I'm very happy to be seeing some sun today - finally! For past fairs I've always dressed up, it's the best way to draw a little attention and get people talking about the fair and what's on offer and today was no exception!

Dress: Vintage

Shoes: Office

Belt: Nannan's

Sunglasses: ASOS

These little birdies for a couple of quid at the last vintage fair I worked at, I've not worn them before so felt it was about time they had a little outing! They certainly covered up my below average rushed central victory rolll! I tried to get three going but it just looked like I'd left the house with my rollers in.

This is a very special necklace. My good friend Becky ((Her site is here) is a very talented illustrator and has access to exciting equipment, so I now have my nickname Maldina (Gina Maldina from Screaming Maldini) in a perspex necklace for all to see. Very happy with it. 

SO gang. Get yourself to a fair soon! The next one in Sheffield is July 14th but you can see upcoming fairs on their website HERE. 

Lorra love xxx

Polka Pleated

 Hello again, time for a quickie?

I had to nip into town to talk to a gorgeous young man off of SoYo Live on Mondays so felt the need to dress for the occasion. That's not strictly true, previous to this I was in slacks, essentially, but the sun came out and I "hurrah!-ed" and put on polka dots.

I'm a really big fan of bright, clashing colours and have always loved pink VS turquoise so aim to air this colour combo whenever possible. I also seem to wear tan leather with black too much, so have started opting for more white in my accessorising, which I think is working rather well.

Top: Charity Shop

Skirt: Nannan's

Bag: Freshman's

Shoes: New Look

Scarf: Carboot

Earrings: Charity Shop

Belt: River Island 

ta-ta x

Feeling Blue

Just a quickie for you chaps. I was feeling a little optimistic temperature wise, so I opted for a maxi sans tights. Error, I tell you. Bloody freezing in Sheffield today.

I am wearing...

A vintage blue maxi from charity shop

Sequin Cardi from charity shop

Leather belt

Vintage quilted black bag

50s specs

Models Own lipstick in Orangeade

Also got some carboot goods to share with you, but not just now. Oh yes. I'mma keep you waiting.

x

If it was sunny I would wear...

This is a bit of a poor excuse for a blog post but I like to keep you updated. I'm sick of this rain goddamnit. I don't know about you but I'm in some sort of pit where it's OK to eat all the time and not shave ones' legs. Ever. Much like the winter of a married woman with three teenage kids. Anyway. I bought this dress from COW in Summer 2009 when I was a rather a large lady, too large for the dress anyway! It's an 80s repro of a 50s sun dress, but I love the midi length and the bright primary colours. I had approximately 15 minutes free to enjoy the sun before heading to work and thought I'd nip to Sheffield Botanical Gardens. 

Apologies for the unstyled hair. I wasn't feeling it.

Belt is vintage woven leather

 Bag is hand-made 1920s

Sunglasses are from LeLove Vintage on Etsy

Shoes are from Office

If it were sunny, what would you all be wearing? 

G x

My Own "Pretty Used Things"...

Big fan of Instgram over here at P.U.T. As I have said in my little 'about me' section, I love all kinds of Pretty Used Things, not just clothes. So I thought I'd share (via Instgram) a select few of my bits and bobs I've sourced over the years that lie in my room, mostly gathering dust. 

Two painted eggs in a  glass case.

60s Vanity case plays home to scarves and a fan from Singapore.

My only pair of Vintage Gina heels, sadly they do not fit.

All Saints, you will NOT have my Jones' sewing machine.

Five of my most lovely hats.

I plan to make a hanging mobile sort of feature from these little lamp shades.

Gin.

Matching cross stitched candle stick holders and a brooch.

A lovely illustrated copy of Alice, which, if you turn it over is also another story.

1950s/60s carry-on case is brimming with scarves. I can't close it.

What are your favourite Pretty Used Things?

x

Best Of 2012 Met Ball

I love getting dressed up, but I've never had cause to get as dolled up as this lot. So being able to look at all the photos from big red carpet events is a seriously indulgent past time of mine, and yours, no doubt. The Met Ball is always home to flamboyant, glitzy ensembles and the fashion critics will no doubt divide over AB and C (this year I bet that'll be between Florence Welch or Kristen Stewart - both nonos in my eyes) but here are my top ten gorgeously dressed celebs.

Cara Delvingne in Burberry

Carey Mulligan in custom Prada

Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte

Kristen Wiig in Stella Mccartney

Lily Collins in Valentino

Rooney Mara in Givenchy 

Emma Roberts in Escada

Lana Del Ray in Joseph Altuzarra

Linda Evangelista in Prada

Now I usually hate fishtails but she looks incredible, love the photo itself too.

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabanna.

SWOON

X

Wish List

I've been compiling a list of things I really, really want for some time now and thought I'd share it with you all. The orange bird dress is from Littlewoods and I never EVER saw it in the online shop. But I still want it. If you have it in a size 14 and want anything for it, please get in touch. Same goes for the brown floral prom dress from ASOS...

Clockwise...ish...

Sarong dress from Collectif

Mystery Orange Dress

Out of Stock ASOS Stunner

New Look heels 

ASOS Hat

Nude Office Heels

Tatty Devine Gin Brooch

River Island Peplum dress

Charlotte Olympia Cat Shoes

Any retro looking lily hair piece

Model's Own Hyper Bright collection

Laura Ashley Gingham Dress

Retro Swimwear

Miss Selfrdige Graphic Skirt

SWOOOOOOOON

X

New Stock for May

Hello all. I have just updated my shop with a bunch of new stock, ranging from pretty dresses to fun 90s skirts. My shop is all about statement  fun vintage pieces that make kooky additions to your wardrobe. 

https://marketplace.asos.com/boutique/pretty-used-things

Oh and did you know you can get 24% off ASOS today with discount code EXTRA24? Even works on the sale stock...!

This dress is so delicate and pretty I wish I were a size 10!