Author: clarehappiestoutdoors

I'm a keen runner, hill walker, occasional yogi, fan of Pilates, and most importantly, lover of the outdoors! I'm not a munro bagger - I just enjoy being out and about. Married to Bruce (@BruceRussell16), a better photographer than I, who currently provides the majority of the hill photographs - thanks Bruce!

My 135th parkrun and my motivation to keep going

The yoga's been going well - my yoga streak continues with daily practice ongoing. However, I am still struggling with the darkness and the cold, and the resulting lack of motivation for running. It is what it is and I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I have two races coming up: Kinloss … Continue reading My 135th parkrun and my motivation to keep going →

Social Sunday at Scolty

Sunday runs are great. For me they’re not so much about the pace, but more about the distance being the long run of the week and ultimately about the social. When you first start out running you often wonder how a run can be sociable and filled with chat - the simple answer is to … Continue reading Social Sunday at Scolty →

Volunteering (and a lack of motivation!)

Happiest outdoors or not, having volunteered at Stonehaven parkrun this morning I was somewhat frozen and lacking any motivation to go running outdoors this afternoon so headed inside for the ‘dreadmill’ instead. I’ve been struggling to find the motivation to run of late. Darkness and cold are not great motivators and today’s session has been … Continue reading Volunteering (and a lack of motivation!) →

Sgòr Mòr

Arriving at the Linn of Dee car park it was with a little trepidation that we set off, the car thermometer reading a chilly -5C! Thus, 3 pairs of gloves went on at the outset, prevention being better than cure, and off we went. A short distance along the track we turned off and headed … Continue reading Sgòr Mòr →

Stonehaven parkrun

Most readers will be aware of parkrun I suspect. For anyone that’s not, it’s a free weekly timed 5k - run fast, run slow, walk ... your choice! I came late to the parkrun party, my ‘home’ run in Aberdeen being well established by the time I started going. Stonehaven is a more recent addition … Continue reading Stonehaven parkrun →

Yoga: Nourishing the body and mind

I have a love / hate relationship with yoga. It's something I'd like to do more of - to become more flexible, to stretch my weary muscles, to take time out of life just to breathe and be in the moment. When I'm on the mat (even if it's just when I'm in Savasana) I … Continue reading Yoga: Nourishing the body and mind →