Scrap that, it started out pretty crap actually. With the notable exception of a week in Iceland (Pete was there for work and I tagged along) where I did my first run of the year as the sun came up over Reykjavik, in temperatures of -6 degrees. It was actually a really lovely, comfortable run, and I could have continued, however I had arrived back at the hotel and so decided to stop and not risk slipping over on the snowy footpaths.
We arrived home to a poorly cat, who we rushed to the vet on the night we got home. Unfortunately within 24 hours, after some too-ing and fro-ing between Newbury and Bristol - during which time someone crashed into us on the M4 - we had to let her go as she was getting worse and the vets couldn't stabilise her. To say I have been devastated (and haunted) by this is to understate things. She was my little shadow for almost 11 years, and I still miss her terribly.
Since then, I have been struggling a little bit to get back on a positive and even keel. The man who crashed into us on the M4 contested fault on the claim, so it took until May to resolve the case, thankfully in our favour. That involved weekly phone calls to my insurance company and a lot of faffing with two garages to get my car fixed. Given the circumstances of the crash, each and every time I thought about it I was reminded of why we were making that journey, which didn't help! I spent a lot of February doing some work with a career consultation team (which was provided as part of my redundancy package). I actually enjoyed it and found it really useful, however the reality of trying to find a new job hit home too. I have never before been in the position I find myself in now - unemployed with nothing already lined up! I haven't had a formal job interview in a very very long time, and the idea of it all is terrifying if I'm honest! I have noticed myself changing - not really wanting to go out of the house, having the feeling that I don't want to go to the gym, nor out running anymore. I had already decided (after a couple of really awful runs around Hermitage) that I wasn't going to do the Reading Half Marathon, so when it was cancelled, I felt equal parts guilty and relieved! I've also had some niggles with injuries, including a strange weakness in my left hand. My GP put it down to Carpal Tunnel, which I didn't feel was right as I only had weakness and no other symptoms. My physio diagnosed an issue in my neck and upper back, and after one session with her, the weakness disappeared! I think when you're not working, you have more time to notice, and perhaps dwell on, these kinds of things. With that alongside job applications that go nowhere, it can be quite hard to keep plugging away and trying to stay positive. Luckily, I have some good friends and family who have been helping to keep my spirits up. I am ever hopeful that the right job for me is just around the corner - after all, everything happens for a reason, right?!
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| Signing off with the last photo of my beautiful baby girl Stitchy |
