How did you know? Yes, I've only ever met her in the winter before and she normally wears green wellies, a sort of khaki green quilted gillet, pleated tweed skirt, waxed coat and a headscarf! I've never seen her in summer clothes so it should be interesting.

Oh my lord! It's LIZZIE!

Check out this heeelarioooooos link! http://www.kossan.se/hamster_i_hjul.htm

Warning: Try not to snort out loud at work!

The ballgown sounds fabulous

I went for my second run of the week today, and I think it is getting easier already (although I don't want to jinx it!). I also felt fine while I was running, but once I stopped I felt all achy again (from monday's run). 'Tis very strange.

Does anyone happen to know if running is a good exercise to prepare for hiking? From October I am going to be starting to do a lot of hiking up and down mountains etc at altitude. I was thinking that I would get into this running lark by doing the couch to 5k thus making myself much fitter than if I just walked. I planned to keep doing regular walking as well (but cut this back to the weekends), and towards the end of the summer throw in some longer walks such as walking up Snowdon and going to the Lake District etc at the weekends. However, it has now occurred to me that this may not be the best way to get myself prepared for hiking . What does anyone else think?

That hamster is so funny

Sarah, I'm afraid I'm not very tolerant of people like that I hope you can put up with her!

Pachyderm, I would say what you are doing is fine, to run during the week and do long walks at weekends.

I've signed on the dotted line for the Amsterdam Half Marathon!!! Woo hoo!!!! I've designed my training plan with help from the BUPA website and am ready to get going!

I went to the gym this morning, only my inside thigh muscles hurt now. I did a wee little run, and some other stuff, and a long stretching session on the power plate.

Kykaree that is fantastic. You have obviously caught the running bug! When is the Amsterdam Half Marathon? Have you got a while to prepare? You are going to be soooo fit

OK, another question - why does my neck hurt now (at the front), all I've done is run/walk this morning? Sorry to keep asking questions

Methinks you could be tensing while you run/walk - try to stay relaxed in your upper body.

I have been on a shopping rampage over at Dance Direct - I've bought myself "toe tape" "toe socks" (they really are socks for just your toes!!!!) foot thongs and foot undeez!! I'm getting horrid blisters on my feet - balls of feet, big toes, everywhere - from pivoting on sweaty squeeky floors in kickboxing. I think at least one of these funky ballerina type products might do the trick! If not - I'll just have to become a ballerina!!! I've got all the stuff now!

I really want to go to a dance class now!!!! I want to tap dance and ballet dance and do all sorts of lovely stuff! I just have no idea where to start to find them! I did google them once but didn't find much!

Well done Pachyderm - sounds like you're another one getting the bug! I think just running generally is going to be a great preparation for hiking. Not so much here on the Vale of York as it's as flat as a pancake so you rarely get to run up an incline - but it's great cycling country!

Amsterdam half marathon she's gone quite mad! I've never had a use for that smilie but now I have!

I hate gelatine too (I'm going back a few posts here ) it's evil and should be banned. At slimming world they go on about muller lites all the time and I can't eat them because of the evil gelatine. Not that I want to eat them but they push them at sw and it annoys me.

Good luck at the induction Sarah. What's the job? Have I missed something?

Veggie, I know what you mean. A friend of mine tried them and said they were far too sweet anyway. That often happens with thing sthat are low fat - they compensate withtoo much salt (like low fat mayo) or sugar. I cannot use anything with gelatine either. God! the number of sweets that have it in. Yes I know I should not be eating them, full stop!

my flatmates hamster did that once but only went over once not loads of times the freaky thing

The hamster did what?? Ate too many sweets, mullerlights or did the Amsterdam Marathon???

Sorry peacock, your last post just sent me into fits of giggles right in the middle of the office! People are staring, and now they know I'm not actually working . Just imaging a hamster doing any of those things. I still can't stop giggling - I think I have a problem!

Just follow Frus' link at the top of the page, then you will understand!

Ahh! I knew really I was just being cheeky cos the post came in after Veggies where she mentions the marathon and gelatine so blame Veggie!!!

Oh I see it now Pachy - I have just looked on the clip. My hamster used to do that all the time. Just imagine if we had wheels in our rooms. We would be fit and dizzy.