Ou Est Le Neige? Voila ici!!

So I FINALLY made it out onto the snow and boy did it feel good! Boxing Day was the day and Alice and Alex were my buddies. It definitely took me a while to get my snow legs back and it wasn't until day two that they finally kicked in. This time, Josh and Hywel were my guides (I really must learn to read the piste maps - I'm so lazy!) and I was much more comfortable and confident in my legs. I had to borrow Hywel's spare board as mine has delaminated which sucks but I'm so lucky and grateful that he is short like me (if you're reading this Hywel, I mean that in the nicest possible way!). The piste was definitely in need with another dump of snow but the blue bird sky was incredible. But none of you need to worry, my apres ski is coming along wonderfully.....

Christmas Day - One to Remember

Christmas Day in the mountains didn't quite pan out as I had thought it would but by the end of the day, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I spent the morning working (after taking a couple of pics of my morning view) which then lead to working in the early afternoon so I didn't have the chance to get on my board on Christmas Day which was gutting. I was feeling a bit blue but after a couple of ciders with Alice and a very festive lunch of nacho's and chicken nuggets things started to perk up! We ended up cooking Xmas dinner at Alice's chalet that night and she was kind enough to let me open up a couple of her presents so I could feel more Christmassy which totally worked. After a wonderful roast dinner lovingly cooked by Alex (thanks again Alex!) we did the time honoured Xmas tradition of playing a board game - accompanied by one or six bottles or red wine. The game of choice was Articulate and Alice and I won (was there ever any doubt?!). I've never lost a game so I'm glad my record is still in tact! I did of course miss my normal family Christmas but this was an ace alternative celebration - thanks for those who made it awesome!

We're All In This Together!

Christmas Eve. My normal Christmas Eve routine involves eating, watching TV, going to the pub, not drinking and being designated driver home. It was a bit different this year as I started my job as a chalet maid and got straight to it. There is such a lovely bunch of girls in the maid crew and all of them are Brits. We had to clean three chalet's and they are gorgeous. The view was incredible, as you can see from the first pic! I was in a team with Alice and Patience and as you can see, we had a bit of fun as we went along. To wind down after a long day of cleaning, we headed over to Chalet Nova where some of the maid crew live and they had a Christmas tree so it did start to feel Christmasy! I must tell you all, that on day two in France, I fell in love. Head. Over. Heels. His name is Charlie and he is gorgeous. Like a big cuddly bear. Did I forget to mention that Charlie is a Burmese Mountain dog?? Anyway, so in love. We headed out to Moulin to a bar called Greg's and danced the night away until Christmas day chimed in. Those green shots you see above were actually blue and tasted like mouthwash - yum......oh and from the pics above, you'll see a picture of Mitch and you MUST agree that he looks exactly like Kurt from Glee - am I right?? He can't sing though. Disappointing. En route home, Patience and I had a little dance and then it was time for the epic walk up the mountain home. To say it was cold was an understatement. Don't know how me Mitch and Sarah made it up there to our warm and cosy chalet but we did and it felt good! Then I got plenty of shut eye whilst waiting for a visit from Santa...........

The Start of the Season

After 5 weeks of planning, the day for me to leave the UK finally arrived. It didn't seem real as I hadn't been planning it that long but once I started packing up my life and I realised I had a shed load of stuff that I needed to take with me, it started to hit home what I was about to embark on. I promise you, I tried to pack light. And I did remove loads of 'unnecessary' items but I just couldn't cut down any more - everything in ALL those bags you can see above is 100% crucial! Promise......anyway, the epic journey to Bourg St Maurice then commenced which started with a lift from my Dad to Wokingham Station, accompanied by my Mum aka Chief Bag Carrier, and ended with leaving from Victoria Coach Station. My Mum and I had a cheeky glass of prosecco to see me off in style and we were waiting to load on my 'light' luggage when I heard someone say 'Jo!' and I turn around and low and behold my awesome mate Paige was there with a 'Bon Voyage Jo!' banner!! I was so suprised and it was a lovely send off! A few tears were then shed from the three of us and I got on the Snow Express for the 17 hour coach ride. Fortunately for me, I can sleep anywhere so for 10 of those house I was out for the count. I arrived into Bourg St Maurcie at about 1pm, French time, to then start my journey to my first home in the mountains.......

Barefoot Running is the Way Forward

For those of you that don't know, I was running like a mad woman a few month's ago after my friend Kat had inspired me with her marathon efforts. I was training with her when she was doing the 5 milers and was really enjoying the experience and was motivated and in the zone. So much so that I signed up to the Nike Run to the Beat half Marathon which takes place on 25th September. Then disaster struck, an injury! I went to the doctor's and she diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis which is a very painful foot injury. I've been to see a physio but don't start treatment properly until the 22nd August which then only leaves me a month to get the stamina for a 13 mile run.

I've been cycling every day which I've been loving, until my bike got reversed over by a van 2 weeks ago! Not having much luck am I........

So until I get my bike and my foot back on track, I've been struggling to stay motivated for this run. That motivation came last night in the form of my sister who has signed up for the half marathon with me. To give you a bit of a background on Laura, she's never been a massive exercise fan (and she won't mind me saying that) but she has decided to undertake this challenge with me and last night she text me to say that she'd just completed a 3 mile run!! Now, that was a massive deal as she's never run that far before and it gave me the kick up the behind that I so desperately needed.

I woke up this morning at 7:15am and was wide awake. So I decided to put this extra time in my morning to good use and went for a run! Now, I'm not really supposed to be doing high impact activity at the moment (doctor's orders) but when I was in Austria recently and went running with the Ultra Man legend that is Jonas Colting, he taught me all the techniques of barefoot running. It's made a MASSIVE difference to my running technique and to the pain in my right foot. With Jonas in my head telling me to land on the ball on my foot and to keep my arms close to my chest around my heart at all times and to take smaller paces, I survived a 2.5 mile run this morning! I'm so chuffed to be back on the horse, so to speak, and well and truly back in the game!

So watch this space world! I'm back and running and it feels ruddy great!

Austria - I want to come back to see the snow too!

Today I arrived in Austria for a sales and marketing conference for one of my clients Peak Performance. It was an early start, up at 5:15am but after a painless journey I finally arrived and have to say that it's such a beautiful country. All of the weather forecasts said that it was going to rain and then rain some more - but quite the opposite has happened! It's glorious sunshine and that means that the scenery is absolutely beautiful. We had the start of the conference at this hotel which had a drawbridge that over looks an incredible golf course (and I don't even play!). Afterwards, all the Peak team (129 of us!) headed up a cable car to the top of the mountain and people were either going to be running or hiking down. As I have a foot injury at the moment from all my training for the half marathon, I couldn't participate which was REALLY annoying as when I was up there all I wanted to do was run down (sounds odd but it's true!). Anywho, I just wanted to share some of the pics with you as it's just amazing.....

I love my new Zara skirt!

My wonderful parents gave me some vouchers for Zara for my birthday and this is what I bought! I've seen a lot of coverage on this skirt already but I love it anyway - even if everyone else will be buying it too! AND the most important fact is that it was a size smaller than normal wohoo! All this cycling is paying off eh!

Two Door Cinema Club - The Roundhouse 12th March

Last night I went to The Roundhouse to see Two Door Cinema Club and it was frickin awesome. Those guys put on such a great show and had the entire place eating out of the palm of their hands. Check out this video I took of them performing 'Undercover Martyn' and see for yourself.....

My Mum Has Made Me Cool!

My Mum has very kindly sent me a load of high vis stuff to keep me safe on the roads whilst cycling. You can't miss me now guys - thanks Mum!

First Ever Backside Triple Cork 1440!

My eyes can't quite believe it! This trick is insane! Mark McMorris has nailed the world's first Backside Triple Cork 1440 and it looks, quite frankly, bloody amazing!

I wonder what he'll try next to push it to the limit......

Biking All Over the World

On Friday night I went to pick up a lovely 80's Universal folding bike from a girl at work who's said I can use it and see how I get on with it. Obviously it looks really cool but it had a few tweaks that needed doing to make it, how can I put it.....safer! Enter my friend's wonderful bike loving boyfriend who fixed the breaks and the cables and got it running like a dream!

On Sunday, Paige, Dave and I cycled to The Albion in Angel and locked the bikes up outside (how cute do the look all together eh!) then went for a ride around before they headed off to a gig in Kentish Town. That's when the drama all started for me! I stopped at a set of traffic lights and checked my pocket for my phone and it wasn't there - it had dropped out of my pocket en route. So I quickly turned around, cycled all the way back on myself and couldn't find it. Gutted. Got home, barred my phone so that whoever had it couldn't use it and then put my coat on to head to the police station to report it potentially stolen. I then did what I do EVERY DAY when putting on my coat which is put my hands in my pockets.......and low and behold there was my phone!! Couldn't believe it! I'd just had my hair highlighted so I'm blaming it on a blonde moment......

Anywho, I've now started cycling to work which is amazing. Takes 15 mins instead of a 30-40 minute bus ride and it's a bit of exercise everyday. Need to figure out when I have the energy to run too so might give it a few days and get back to running in the morning before work.

Loving this health kick - hope I'm helping inspire some of you out there!

Cool Runnings

Anyone out there who has ever run outside knows that it's hard to stay at a comfortable temperature. You're either far too hot or too cold (when you start running). I'd never really put too much thought into what I'm wearing when exercising before, I just used to think that as long as I'm covered up and nothing is too clingy then I'd be ok. I could NEVER be one of those people you see running in leggings and a crop top (blurgh!).

One of the beauties of my job in PR is that you get to work with some brilliant brands who actually make product you can rely on and believe in. One such client is the Scandinavian brand Peak Performance. Peak is mainly known for it's Ski and outdoor wear but it also has a range of indoor and outdoor training gear which is obviously now the perfect time for me to test out. I have a 'Training Hood' in bright blue which I love and it has subtle details like thumb holes which are actually more beneficial than you'd think when running. The fabric has an antibacterial finish and dries quickly and keeps your body dry - it does exactly what it says on the tin! It regulates my temperature and makes running a lot more comfortable.

Off for a run in the morning before going for a cycle which I'm looking forward to (I'm picking up a folding bike tonight to try out).......I've changed.......

Eastpak Artist Studio London Launch

Here's the video from the Eastpak Artist Studio launch where nine UK creatives customised three Eastpak Padded Pak'r bags to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The auction finished yesterday and we're waiting for the grand total but in the mean time check out the video from the launch event at Mol's Place in Covent Garden. Was a brilliant night

Rise of The Competitive Woman

My alarm went off at 7:20am this morning which meant it was "run o'clock". I thought 'sod this' and reset it for 8:20am. Three minutes later I sat bolt upright in bed and was like 'what are you doing!!' and swiftly got out of bed, donned my running shoes and got my ass out the door. Thirty minutes later I was back at my front door and feeling all the better for it.

I then started reading Stylist magazine when en route to a meeting and read an article called 'Rise of the Competitive Woman'. It involved examples of women who use their spare time to push their bodies to the limit and commit themselves to hardcore physical activities like Triathlons and cycling 20 miles after work. They quote Sue Tibballs who is the Chief Exec of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation who says that she's witnessed a trend in professional women seeking competitive, goal-orientated experiences outside the workplace over the last two years.

It's not just the physical advantages that the article mentions, it talks of the mental boost that exercise brings by pumping oxygen into your system that upsets the natural resting state of your body's blood sugars and how your body responds by over-compensating which boosts energy levels to prevent you feeling fatigued.

From my experience over the last few days I can definitely relate to this as I find that I'm more motivated when sat at my desk and feel alert and high spirited throughout the day as I've exercised in the morning and released all of those good endorphins. Also, this feeling motivates me to get up and go for a run before work just so that I can keep the buzz alive.

This article came into my life at the right time as it only concludes my thoughts and feelings and spurs me on to keep going!

Run Forrest Run!

You'll be pleased to hear that I did as I said and have started my health kick. Now those of you that know me are aware that I'm not a huge fan of cooking. I LOVE to eat but hate to cook. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and created the above gastronomic delight on Friday. It involved chicken stuffed with extra light Philadelphia and pesto wrapped in parma ham served on a bed of spinach and veg. I'm not one to blow my own trumpet but it was bloody yummy! On Saturday morning I then went for a run (see pic number one) where I was pretty chuffed with running for over 3 miles on my first attempt. I actually enjoyed running outside much more that I thought I would. I wanted to run yesterday morning but was recovering from a cold but managed to survive a run this morning where I ran less distance but at a quicker pace. I was told to use a great app called 'Map My Run' which uses GPS to track your running route, how long you're running and at what pace. It's awesome and you can upload them to your profile so you can keep track of everything. I'm so in the zone at the moment and am determined to look fab and amazing in time for my 27th birthday in June. Keep watching this space.......