I spent the weekend in the Lake District with my unversity buddies who I haven’t seen in ages. Hazel got the train to mine from London and arrived late Friday night and then we drove up to the lakes to stay at Claire’s house with her family.

In friday’s blog I reported on my fall off the wagon and that I had spent all evening prepping my food for the next two weeks to help me get my head back in the game. On Saturday morning I went to the gym and completed 30 minutes fasted cardio and went to the abs class which ended up being a kind of overall body class rather than abs. I turned up a little bit late so had to go to the front and had to look like I knew what I was doing at all times – I think I pulled it off but I haven’t received any feedback yet so I can’t confirm this. At the end of the class I get chatting to the lady to my left who mentions that she does the Kettlebell class which is next, so I thought give it a go and then I will have completed all my exercise for that day and Hazel and I can enjoy our breakfast and not have to rush.

It seems that the kettlebell class is quite popular and the other attendees squirrel away the lighter kettlebell during the abs class. So I was left with the 14kg kettlebell and can hear whispered comments of how I will struggle with that weight – just watch ladies (and one guy who had a lighter weight). In walks the instructor and there is something familiar about him and his ill fitting tracksuit pants. I continue to gather the rest of my equipment and I make eye contact with said instructor and it comes to me as clear as day, I have been on an unsuccessful date with this guy. Talk about awkward and added pressure. So off I go swinging this bloody kettlebell round my head, through my legs, up over my head and basically anywhere else that could possibly give the impression that I know what I am doing, that I am a total pro and that my traps and arms are not in total agony. I survive and strut out of the gym before collapsing in the car.

Back home and as I am making protein porridge for Hazel (which she can’t finish as she didn’t like it), I am demonstrating to her all the random moves I have just done in the Kettlebell class and I think that’s when I actually hurt myself as my traps are still in agony on Sunday evening. We get showered, pack the car up and off we go on our road trip to the Lakes.

When we arrive at Claire’s house I am absolutely stunned at the views and the picturesque village she lives in. We meet her adorable family for the first time and even though I am extremely allergic to children, her two little girls are very cute and I manage to smile and say hello to them without running off. We get Holly the dog and head off on a hike up a decent sized hill taking in the great views and getting an extreme blow dry from the wind whilst walking.

We arrive a pub for a coffee and the smells of chips and burger and the fact that some woman to my right is devouring what looks like a full rack of ribs from about 3 pigs not one, I realise that I have missed two meals and I start to panic as I am feeling hungry. So thankfully Claire and Hazel were very understanding about situation and we head off back home. As soon as I am through the door a meal is heated and a fresh coffee is supplied. We all had dinner together which I didn’t find too hard to manage as I had two meals left and copious amounts of coffee and water. Then out come the university photos and we spend the rest of the night reminiscing and taking the piss out of our hairstyles and bad clothes.

I went to bed relaxed, happy and very peaceful. The next morning I awake to little people chatting and giggling which makes a nice surprise but then sparks a conversation about how unnatural it is for someone to be laughing first thing in the morning and that it wont be long before they are miserable like Hazel and myself. I then remember that Hazel was talking in her sleep and we spend the next few minutes trying to work out what she was dreaming about before we get up (and yes we shared a bed). Breakfast was relaxed, a bit difficult as Dave had baked croissants but again the coffee was free  flowing and that distracted me enough.

After breakfast we all went on a lovely walk to a cafe, had a quick drink and then headed back to Claire’ house ready for us to pack up the car and be on our way.

This weekend has been perfect. I have enjoyed every minute with Hazel, Claire and her lovely family. It’s almost made me feel emotions which as an Ice Queen with no soul is something I am not familiar with. I have felt relaxed, I have cleared my head from worrying about falling off the wagon and I feel refreshed, full of energy ready to push and look like a Bobby Dazzler at the finals in June.

Whilst writing my blog I had a call with my trainer Sandi and she reassured me that this blip is fine, and to just relax and forget about it as I must have needed it and to rust the process and believe in myself, she is a superstar. I am ready to smash these next 7 weeks. My favourite motivational saying is ‘You can. End of Story’, and I can.