This day I love.......

September, the month that could probably best be described as club sandwiches and runs with good friends. It was a relatively low mileage month for me with 169km or 105 miles covered, not too bad but could have been better. The month started with a final long run before the crazy back to back marathons. A nice steady chatty taper run in some beautiful sunshine.

In addition to my 12 in 12 challenge, where I am trying to complete 12 ultra/marathons in a year I am also taking part in a 100 runs of 10km distance or more in a year challenge with my running friend pictured below. We had a beautiful run at the Shepley 10km where I may have managed to convince him to take part in an ultra! I do hope so, they are amazing fun.

Club runs are starting to get darker now and that means more road running and less off road. A shame as I do enjoy the off road and trail, it also means I am going to have to locate my head torch and high vis gear!

Berlin marathon was the priority this month and you can read all about it here. Completing it meant I collected my second star, only 4 more to go! Berlin was such an amazing experience and one I will never forget, its made even better when you get to spend it with friends! I think if you can run a marathon or an ultra with someone and still be friends at the end of it it shows a good friendship.

Not content with 1 marathon I decided to run another the following Sunday, oh and I threw a 6 mile club run in between too. It perhaps goes without saying this marathon was a lot harder but I did it and took my total for the year up to 7, 5 more to go for the challenge.

My eldest daughter had her trial and then joined a local athletics club. September has spent many nights stood at the side of the track watching her train, but I could not be more proud of her. She has been doing amazing.

My final race in September was one called the Stairway to heaven and it is just beautiful. I have never done a race with such negative splits before. It might have been partly down to the up hill start or the fact I kept stopping to take photos because it was so beautiful!

I had started September 1st as Run director at my local parkrun and ended on September 30th as a marshall at junior parkrun. I think that is a pretty perfect September.

October is bringing about it's own challenges. I have a 10km race which I am slowly wishing I hadn't signed up for, but I know I will enjoy it once I am there. A marathon which I am really looking forward to, even if I am nervous for this one. I need to run some more 10km or greater distances to try and finish the 100 challenge off and am tempted to sign up to one of the runs in the Alder Hey Running Hub and Run for Charity. There is also a lot of helpful tips and advice for all distances, so it is worth having a look.

In addition to this I have also set myself a challenge to complete 100km in October and have signed up to a Run Your Own Races virtual run. They donate £1 to the running charity for every run and also send discount codes out for running kit. The medals look pretty cool too and I am hoping to share mine with you once I complete the challenge.

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This year I am trying to complete 12 marathon or Ultras in a year. Sounds a little crazy but when I realised I already had 11 booked I figured one more wasn't too bad. The problem was fitting one more in! I came back from Berlin and felt OK so I immediately booked Hull. I knew nothing of the course, the route only that it was on Sunday. I hoped my legs would hold doing 2 marathons in 7 days!

After checking out the route I began to panic. I have a huge fear of heights, well its not so much heights it is falling from a height which means I really hate bridges. I panic driving over bridges, I try to avoid them at all costs. I had to run over the Humber bridge, and then turn around and run back. I was not happy.

I tried to put it to the back of my mind and focus on the first 16 miles instead. I stood in the pen and then realised how small the pen actually was. Around 850 runners, not that many and given I could see the 4.30 pacer about 4 people in front and the 4.45 pacer was right behind me I figured this would be a quite spaced out run. Nothing like the other marathons I have done.

We seemed to set off on time. One mass of people all moving together. Some tight turns to negotiate for the first 1km and we still seemed very bunched together. I had a comfy pace going and didn't realise I had caught up to the 4.30 pacer. I decided to stay with them for the first 5km. They were running Chicago marathon next and so we spoke a little about the majors. The first 5km was just past the deep, and I decided to take a walk for 2 mins to have a drink. Water was in cups and I can't run and drink from cups. A few quick sips and I set off again. Around 8km the 4.45 pacer caught me up. They were so lovely and we ran and chatted until 11km. I wasn't really paying much attention to the route. Instead trying to keep moving on tired legs and wondering why my breathing wouldn't settle.

I noticed now that the runners had thinned out and there were large sections when you were on your own. No headphones allowed and so my thoughts were trying to sort out my breathing. The support in the early miles was thin, but when crowds were there they were amazing. The marshalls were all really friendly and supportive too. Half way was approaching and my goal was to not get caught by the 5 hour pacer. I checked my watch, my heart rate was in the 220s, I panicked and started to walk but it wouldn't settle. The 5hour pacer caught me up. I thought I would have one of my biscuits, but my hands were so cold I dropped them. I got a bit annoyed by the whole thing and then thought this wasn't helping, so tried to calm down.

My heart rate settled and then I realised where I was. The long hill up to mile 16, which meant the bridge was soon. I tried to put it out my head and concentrate on this hill. Watching the faster runners run down it and thinking that will be me soon. One female crowd member I think sensed my nerves and she said all would be fine and gave me a cheer. It really helped.

I continued round the corner, a band was playing under the bridge. I knew it was soon and I sensed my breathing had changed again. I was telling myself to get a grip. A marshall said in a minute you will be running over the bridge. I felt my legs go wobbly, my body started shaking and I sensed the panic attack starting. I must have looked a right state as the volunteers on the bridge asked me what was wrong, I explained I had a fear of bridges. I couldn't believe it when they said 'I will come with you'. The volunteers came with me over the bridge so I didn't have to see the drop on the side. They arranged someone to then come back across the other side with me too. All they did was talk to me to take my mind off the fact I was on a bridge, but it worked. I got over the bridge and past the 20 mile mark, I was now focused on that downhill.

The downhill came and I was so relived. I could finally stretch the legs a bit. The lady from earlier was still out, she said she had waited to see if I was ok after the bridge and she was so pleased I had made it. What a lovely thing to do. A group of runners kept passing me with some amazing tunes. I was feeling good that the bridge was out the way and I started to relax and enjoy myself. I turned the corner into the track and just had to have a go at the Ultrafast 100m. It would have been rude not to.

Just after the ultrafast I bumped into Phil, the 5.30 pacer. He was ahead of schedule so we got chatting and ran the last few miles together. He was amazing and this year at the Yorkshire marathon he will complete 200 marathons in 2 years! It makes my 12 in 12 challenge seem pathetic in comparison. He was an amazing inspiration for those last few miles and I only wished we had had more time to chat more. The final mile was now in sight and it was some more twists and turns into the stadium to finish.

Given I had conquered a fear, had a massive panic attack, and couldn't control my heart rate, I was rather pleased with my time and the fact I had completed marathon 2 in 7 days. The race had given lots of issues I hadn't had before, not just the previously mentioned but my back also kept locking meaning I couldn't bend or twist. I got through it though, to perhaps one of the most random goody bags ever.

Hull marathon was certainly an experience, I won't be doing it again though the bridge caused me too much stress. All the marshalls and volunteers were fantastic, some of the friendliest I have come across and when there was crowd support it was also first class. Just a shame there were lots of very quiet points and moments when you felt alone. The art work on the mile markers was such a lovely touch and the medal has to be one of my favourites.

Hull was number 7 this year, which leaves 5 left until I complete this challenge. It made me giggle that this popped up on my Facebook feed just after completing Hull.

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Back in April this year I completed the London marathon and with it I collected my first star of the six marathon majors. My ultimate goal is to collect all six before my 40th birthday but there is a huge financial implication and I am going to have to see if this is possible. Next on the list was Berlin.

I had wanted the kids to come with me to watch me run but without going into detail they were unable to. Instead I travelled first thing Saturday morning. It was the first time I had flown without the kids since becoming a Mum and it felt very strange walking through security and the airport without them. I kept my self busy by talking to several people waiting in the airport and the time soon passed to board my flight.

On board it seemed to be full of people taking part in the marathon. I was sat in the middle seat and the person to my right was completing their first marathon and to the left had done multiple marathons before. It was really interesting listening to their stories and it was soon time to land.

I seem to pick the wrong weather for marathons. It was hot in Berlin and I wished I had worn shorts and not my jeans. Never mind. After negotiating the train system, which was incredibly efficient and left and arrived bang on the times it stated, I arrived at the expo to collect my number.

The expo was in the old airport and it was huge. Much bigger than London, and a lot more stalls and exhibitors to visit. First I had to pass an identity check and I was then issued with a wrist band. I liked this system, all runners have a wrist band so if you loose your number they can verify you registered. Next up was number and chip collection. The sense of relief when I finally collected my number was huge! It was now time to enjoy the expo and take a look at all the stands.

There wasn't really much left of the day after we had finished in the expo. A short walk back to the hotel and on the way chance to stop and watch some of the inline skate race that was happening. It made me want to find my skates again.

The walk back to the hotel made me want to come back and explore Berlin again one day when I have more time. It was easy to tell when you were in West or East Berlin and there was so much history around that I really wish I had had more time to explore properly. Dinner and a drink to settle the nerves before bed, the first day had passed quickly and tomorrow was race day!

The morning of the marathon and it was hot. No where near as hot as London, but still hotter than I would have liked. Everything was incredibly well organised plenty of portaloos, easy to follow baggage drop and easy to locate the pens for the race. I cannot fault the system at all, it worked. After joining the queue for a nervous wee, you know the one you don't really need but you go anyway, it was time to join the pens. I was excited.

The race is in staggered starts. Large TV screens on either side of the pens, so we could clearly see what was happening and plenty of speaker systems so we could hear everything too. There was a real buzz of excitement when they announced the elite athletes and before we knew it we were counting them down to set off. We watched on the tv screen and listened to the commentator. They were hoping, wishing a world record would be broken. Their commentary reflected this. '10 seconds behind pace' was the last thing I remember them saying before the next countdown to set off the next group of runners.

The hour and 15 minutes before we set off soon passed, and then we were given our countdown before we were on our way. The Goal was 35 minutes for every 5km. That worked well for the first 10km, then the heat started to take it's toll. I was running with my running partner from home and he is normally very chatty and keeps me going, only he went very quite very early on and I knew there was something wrong. I have done enough distance runs now to be able to spot the signs. I knew any plan was now out the window and we just had to get round.

Water stations were fantastic. They seemed to have connected pipes into the main water supply and were using taps to fill up buckets to them scoop water into cups to hand out. No bottles were handed out just cups of water. There was also ice tea and bananas. There was no chance of them running out of water like at London. It did get a little crowded at water stations which were every 5km and elsewhere on route there were taps if you had a reusable cup you could fill up. Just after every water station was the timing mats, marked with huge arches and the current time since the start of the race.

It became impossible to run through the water stations and we would also get split up. Meaning I would go ahead and once my friend caught up we would start running again. The later water stations had more cups discarded on the floor which became a hazard. I slipped at the half way water station and ended up in splits, I can't normally do the splits so it really hurt and I had to walk it off.

The route was well supported, just enough support from the crowds to get you round. Music playing and people enjoying the marathon atmosphere. It is very busy, but you can still get into your own stride. The weather was really taking its toll on everyone.

The final few kms were simply amazing. The crowds began to get greater the closer to the finish you got. Then you turned the corner and saw the gates. Running through them and down the hill to the finish was simply amazing. I crossed the finish line and turned round to watch my friend finish. We had done it.

After collecting our medals the next priority was some water. It was so hot! Stretches done and it was time to try and remove the timing chip from my shoe. You have to return the chips else you get charged. This was perhaps the only negative from my whole Berlin experience. Oh and trying to find where to return the chip was a bit of a nightmare too. Chip returned and it was back to the hotel for a quick shower. I had 1 hour to change before I needed to make my way to the airport for my flight home.

A delayed flight meant I spent longer than I wanted to sitting on the floor of the airport in Berlin. I had made my flight home after a whirlwind stop in Berlin. It was absolutely incredibly and by far one of my favourite marathons to date. Even if you don't want to do all the six majors, I would highly recommend Berlin marathon!

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I cannot quite believe it is October already. Where has this year gone? October really is my favourite time of the year, and the start of October also means I open up the diary ready for Christmas bookings!

The girls had lots of fun dressing up for Christmas for me and playing in the studio as I took their photos ready to open up the Christmas books. I often get asked when I do photo shoots for people where I recommend having the images printed, and so when Tesco got in touch and asked me to test out their same day photography printing service it was simply an offer I could not turn down.

I send my clients all of their images with full rights to use for non commercial purposes. Whilst I guarantee a minimum of 10 images the majority of my clients end up with a lot more than this, I think one client once had close to 80. The reason I do this is so they don't need to come back and think about which images they would like to print, and secondly because I think it is nice to be able to have the images to use as you wish.

Tesco photo offer a same day service, order before 12pm and products are ready to collect after 3pm. In my case they were ready to collect within 2 hours. The process is easy to follow. On the Tesco photo website is a selection of items available for same day. These include prints, canvas, photo blocks, framed prints, Mugs, place-mats, coasters, aluminium prints and mouse mats. Once an item has been selected you are then able to upload the image you wish to use from your device, the cloud or a whole host of social media platforms.

The ability to select photos from so many different platforms is great because often you may have an image on Instagram that you may not have else where, or you may have lost your phone and the image maybe on Facebook still. It gives a greater sense of flexibility to order personalised items.

There are even discounts and offers available on the items available for same day printing, so it is worth checking to see if the items you want have offers attached to them. Once discount codes have been applied and all items in the basket it is time to checkout. From checkout to collection you are kept informed via email of when your items are been printed and when they are ready to collect.

Items are then collected from the the selected Tesco store. Payment can be made in store or on line. I actually combined a food shop with collecting my items. It meant I felt more productive as I had to go out to Tesco anyway and this meant I had also collected the personalised items I had ordered too.

From start to finish the service was first class. The website was simple to follow and order from and then the communication to say my order was ready to collect was outstanding. I now have some items ready for Christmas presents and I can also recommend where to have personalised gifts made when a client next asks me.

Oh and in case you wonder why I like October so much, because it is just so much fun!!