Light

While I’m looking longingly at my spring and summer tops when opening my wardrobe, I’m appreciating the still shortish days and not so perfect sunny weather.

Few people are out along the beaches as I’m running and cycling. Soon they’ll start to fill out and I’ll be dogging people running, stop starting for those walking 3 or more abreast cycling, because you know you have to walk all in a line out with people so nobody’s the weaker one. Pack hunting or group solidarity? The nice ones move slightly out the way without you having to ring your bell, others stare at you like you did the worst thing ever by asking them nicely to move aside slightly. It’s a shared cyclist and pedestrian path and I know it’s always pedestrians first, but there’s a little something called common sense. And where are these people when the weather’s not so nice? That’s why I name them fair weather people.

Claws retracted, I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was productive yet kinda boring. I managed to get more sorting out and organising done the Kon Mari method style. I did the main tidying/sort out last year so this year it’s an edit. I got the bathroom reorganised more efficiently and my office flowing better. It’s not perfect but I have clear desk space and the feeling of space around me not clutter. It took 3 hours Saturday evening trying different storage options (various cardboard boxes, trays,) until it fitted like a puzzle leaving the room feeling light and spacious not so cluttered and stagnant. I’ve still to resort the office/spare cupboards but they shouldn’t take too long. I also made the zoo gates in time, first time all week.

Friday’s beach run

Sunday was more of the same. It wasn’t my intention to sort out, but one brief tidy up area led onto parts of the kitchen, cleaning cupboard, you get the picture, areas that have been bugging me for a while. I’m trying to do more 1 minute jobs (a tip I found on YouTube) the past few weeks. Things you know will only take less than a minute to do, just do them, get them done and dusted when they arise rather than put them off and clutter builds up.

So that was my fun weekend! I’ll leave you with photos of when I did venture outside.

Friday I missed the zoo gates so instead took a trip around El Born looking for some Llum BCN lights. One of the city’s patron saints, St Eulalia is celebrated every year. This year for the 6th consecutive year it’s tied in with a light festival. Many of the Ciutat Vella or old town courtyards and plazas are transformed with light installations. For some reason these ones I wasn’t bothered seeing them when dark and honestly when I did see them lit up, I preferred them during the day. I would have liked to have seen more installations but I also wanted to get back early for the first time in a while. 

I didn’t notice until loading this photo the boat the lifejackets, clothes and teddy bear (no glasses can’t see detail!). My initial reaction was oh why a teddy bear and then I saw the the lifejacket, the coat and then realised it represents migrants. After reading the photo I took about the installation, it pays homages to migrants who have lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The candles are the light flickering on the water or maybe represent hope. 

Tone It Workouts instead of my own Saturday in-between sorting out and the zoo.Like lemurs and gibbons I could watch spider monkeys all day. Maybe if I make the zoo early enough I can see them on their outdoor island.Nearly all grown upMaybe if I go earlier I also get to see the marmosets outside. The zoo’s has several different tiny cute marmosets I always see in their indoor enclosures. I didn’t think the outdoor ‘islands’ were in use but ropes and enrichment pots are out. And can any else spot the creepy tree face?Flying practice He knows I’m thereAs I knew I was going to miss the zoo (yes, twice in 2 days. I usually go twice a week and  had to rush around it Saturday so wanted to spend more time there Sunday.) I went for my first long run in months. Sunday runs up until now have been around 10km due to my time management so it was nice to pick up the distance again. Not the speed, but I’m not fast running so that doesn’t bother me too much (lier!) more my endurance as I want to run more Spartan Super’s and Beasts. I was fine, only stopping for photos and my wall walk (the wind helped coming back). HIIT/Crossfit workouts give gains to long distance running: I remember P made me listen to a Rich Roll podcast with one of the former Crossfitter founders about HIIT or Crossfit for distance running. When I say made to listen it was in a car so I had no choice. Okay, I agreed as he knew I couldn’t get out of not listening as I wasn’t going anywhere. My gait’s out but I can see elements in the theory. But you still have to do the distance!

Urban leopard running 

Part of St Eulalia celebrations are open houses and free entry museums. I thought la Llotja might be open. I used to live near it and always like peeking inside whenever I can. It wasn’t so I checked out the lights. The wind wasn’t cooperating with the candles, but I think it adds more the to unknown ahead.

Like running in all weather or just in good weather? Have a great week!