Hello,
I’m still officially on annual leave as I write this, but I thought I’d just pop in to let you know that – miracle! – I managed to complete my ten-day running event and I didn’t fall over or break anything, hurray! I had hundreds of lovely supportive messages on my social media during the event and I’m so grateful; I really felt like I had a wonderful crowd of you there cheering me on and it helped more than you know, especially on days when it was feeling quite tough. So – ten half marathons, ten days, done!
As I mentioned in my last blog, I went into it with a bit of a cough and an ongoing foot issue, neither of which actually ended up causing me any real problems. BUT I did develop – for the first time ever, typical! – an Achilles tendon problem, which by day five was very painful indeed. I managed to go for a sports massage that evening and had it taped up, which helped a little, but it carried on being painful for the remaining five days, although it wasn’t getting any worse as the days went on so I figured it was safe to keep running. So run I did!
Overall it was a fantastic event with the most amazing group of runners and despite some torrential rain and high winds on days nine and ten, we had so many laughs along the way, and a fabulous big bee-themed medal at the end. As again I mentioned in my last blog, the event was donating a percentage of profits to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which made me very happy. Now I just need to take a couple of weeks off running to let this Achilles settle down and hopefully I can get back out there soon.
So – back to work and the very busy few weeks ahead! I haven’t actually started doing any Christmas shopping yet (well, I have bought the Perfect Present gift wrap set but nothing to put in it yet!) so I need to get cracking. One thing I’m definitely getting my hands on is this Friday 5th’s Today’s Special Value offer from Shay & Blue. I absolutely love their fragrances and this offer is just brilliant. You will receive a 100ml Eau de Parfum in a choice of bestsellers Black Tulip, Atropa Belladonna and (one of my favourites) Blood Oranges, plus a hand cream in the same fragrance. And then you’ll also get THREE 10ml (perfect handbag or travel size) fragrances in Clementine (which was new in 2021) , Lilacs and Gooseberries and Cotton Flower (a new, limited edition scent for 2022). So four fragrances in total, which is fantastic.
It’s a great collection to split up and gift, and I just love the fact this range uses ethically sourced ingredients, and is vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free. I have two shows with the brand on Friday so I’ll smell wonderful by the end of the day!
I’m writing this at the hairdressers – having a little colour touch up – so I’d better go! See you towards the end of the week.
Love Jackie x
18 Responses
Hi Jackie,
Big congratulations! I can’t believe you’ve done that! You’re a running wonder! I’m surprised you have never had an Achilles injury though so you’ve done well. It’s extremely painful at times and can always flare up in my experience once you’ve had it. I guess it depends how early and how much medical input you’ve managed to have perhaps like most things. Hope you’re not always bothered with it. Take care!x
Thanks so much Susan! No I’ve never had an Achilles problem so couldn’t believe it, aargh! I’ve had a physio session and been told to rest it for a couple of weeks so hopefully I can get on top of it quickly. Thanks for your support.
Jx
Hi Jackie, well done, what an incredible achievement!! You should be very proud of yourself. I hope the Achilles injury heals soon, can be a nasty problem. When I wrote to you on your last blog I said I was on wait-list for Ruth’s aviator jacket, well I had an email today to say it was on its way along with a Centigrade faux fur reversible long line jacket I ordered at the weekend!! Phew I will be broke but have the best jacket collection in town😂 Also hoping to get the Shay and Blue and Elemis Tsv . Will be an expensive and exciting time. Looking forward to seeing you on tv again soon, take care. Love Debbie x
Hi Debbie, thanks so much! And yay for your lovely jackets, great choices! And oh my goodness, the Shay & Blue and Elemis TSVs are amazing so yes, definitely worth getting. See you soon…I’m actually heading on air in about ten minutes as I write this!
Jx
Congratulations Jackie!… Well done!… Running 10 days for the Lovely Bees! amazing! but now you suffering with a painful Achilles heel!!…
A few months ago I bought a Massage Gun as we didn’t want to visit a Physio, which has helped us a lot in relieving joint misery! and this came be used on the feet! plus put Epsom salts in a foot bath or a warm bath!
Hope that helps!
Liz x
Thanks so much Liz! Yes I actually have a massage gun and it does make a big difference – I’ll try the Epsom Salt foot bath too, thanks for that. Thank you for your support!
Jx
Hi Jackie
Many many congratulations on an incredible achievement! You must be and deserve to be so proud of yourself and all the hard work that its taken mentally and physically. I hope a bit of rest will sort out your Achilles so you will be up and running again soon as I know you love it so much.
I went for a walk in Blenheim yesterday, I live very close to the park, I know you’re not a million miles away from it. I came across a new bench installation hand crafted (probably with the help of a chainsaw!) out of a huge tree trunk with huge bees carved lying on top of flower heads. It seemed a very apt scene after the event you have just achieved with some donations going towards wonderful bumblebee conservation. If this message would have allowed me to attach a photo here for you I would have done.
WELL DONE! : )
Take care
Katie
xx
Ahh Katie thank you so much! And that bench sounds AMAZING! I’ll try and find a photo online. Lovely to hear from you.
Jx
Well done Jackie don’t know how you manage to do everything such an inspiration when I feel a bit down I smile and think of you. Looking forward to seeing you back xxx
That’s such a lovely thing to say, Susan. Thanks so much.
Jx
Well done Jackie, great achievement pleased you’re still in one piece with no major injuries. 🐝🐝👏👏
Thanks so much Margaret! Yes all in one piece, miracles do happen! Thank you for your support.
Jx
A big well done, Jackie. What an achievement when fully fit but with the Achillies injury as well !!!!!!! I think you deserve another holiday to recover but please not yet, I’ve so missed your sense humor and infectious laugh. Take care x
Ahh thanks so much (and I love your name, SoggySox!). No more holiday until next year now unfortunately but I do have a few days off over Christmas (although I’ll be working over the New Year) so I’m looking forward to that! Thanks so much for getting in touch
Jx
Well done Jackie Superwoman !!! such an amazing thing to do for the Bees 🐝🐝🐝🐝
You are a star! Hope your foot is ok now!
xx
Ahh thank you! And the foot (more my lower calf really) is already feeling a bit better, thanks. Take care…I think you’re more in need of TLC than I am at the moment going by your recent messages so hope you mend soon!
Jx
Well done Jackie! What an achievement, and for such a good cause. You and your family will feel very proud that you made it! Long may it continue – now back to the Christmas shopping!
Hi Hazel – thanks so much and yes I have finally started my Christmas shopping! Time seems to be racing by so I need to crack on!
Jx