22 Jun 2025

End of this chapter...

Nothing dramatic, just that the car I've been borrowing/renting is going back tomorrow which means I won't have a car. Which means today was the last chance for a while to drive up to the downs for a run. 

Which I did.

Yay - well done me, etc.

It's been a very long time since the last run, even though I came back off that one with: 'oh there's no reason not to keep doing this' and 'oh, I'll be doing this far more often now I've got out there'.

And then I just don't go. Until today 

It was nice to get a change of scenery even if I was less than spectacular. 

Things I noticed as I ran:

1. there are more and more van dwellers on the downs. 

2. The travellers are back

3. It was the Race for Life today and I wondered if I could manage a 10k now. (Not without a lot of training) 

4. I ran through the weird foresty area and met a woman coming out of the undergrowth having obviously just been for a wee. Awkward

5. Ladyboys of Bangkok are still up there - I have absolutely no desire at all to see the show

6. There were a good dozen birders out there with their massive lenses taking shots of a peregrine falcon, which in fairness, was pretty spectacular. How do they all get there? Is there a birders whatsapp soo when one sees something interesting they all flock down there to see it? They looked pretty happy though. 


5.29km

7m 06s per km

I did slow down on the foresty area and I'm out of shape... 

 


6 May 2025

I might have walked a little bit...

... but it's OK

Again I cancelled an exercise class and went for a run instead. I should do weights, I know but I have a huge barrier in place preventing me from just going to the gym. It's called fear. Or laziness

Anyway - it was an ok run. My right calf felt knotty but I think it's ok, and my hamstrings are a bit twitchy. But I'm 60 and I'm more surprised that I still think I can run than the fact it's a bit hurty at times.

5.23km

7m 11s per km


29 Mar 2025

Experimental

'Experimental' in the sense that yesterday I cancelled today's exercise class with the promise that I would go for a run instead, no matter what. This morning I had regrets. But I'd put my kit out last night, so I slipped it on and went out. 

And it was the same as it ever was. 

So, in conclusion, I'm never going to 'want' to go for a run, but I should do it anyway as there is everything to gain. 


5.83 km

6m 59s per km

40' 44"

I think I need to aim for a 45 minute run which is the optimum duration for cardio exercise. So aim for 6km? 

But where shall I go? Perhaps next time I will go to the downs and see how that feels.


21 Mar 2025

That wasn't so bad, was it?

Other than collecting a smidge of animal poo on my shoe it was OK

I didn't overthink it, just went out. The mornings are getting lighter which will help with the get-up-and-go nature of this running lark. 

Niggles

1. Calfs borderline dodgy but I think I've got away with it. So much for the daily balance exercise building up my lower leg strength.

2. Left knee - started off a bit hurty and weak but got over itself

3. arthritic foot was ok - I mean, it's arthritic so it's never gong to get any better but I am so grateful that it's no worse than it is. 

5.67km

7m 13s per km

Slow, but achievement level: gold



22 Feb 2025

Better

I know I've put on a couple of pounds since I was at my happy weight - but it's only 2lbs, right? I mean, I was over 9 stone this time last year and now I'm hovering around 8st 2 - so as long as I don't totally mess up, I'm ok. 

This morning I spent an age chewing over the pros and cons of heading out - but then I just did it. So glad I did.

5.22 km

6m 57s per km

So that's all good. Slight niggle in my right knee but everything else seems to be holding up.

And - like every time I actually get out there - I come back and tell myself there is no reason not to keep this up, 2 or 3 times a week, and reap the benefits. Then I leave it for 3 - 4 weeks because... 

1. lazy

2. weather

3. other stuff to do

the list goes on 

2 Feb 2025

Not so good

It's me. I'm down. Putting weight back on and feeling old.

5.19km

7m 12s per km


20 Jan 2025

2025: run #2

Cold.

I still can't imagine wanting to go for a run because I love it rather than because it's free exercise. But that's just me. Maybe one day... 

Right knee hurts a bit; left knee not so much. Other than that I'm OK. Very out of breath on the 'hill' but I didn't stop, so well done me. 

I actually went further than planned which had been to do the same little route as last time - but I got into 'Tesco walk' mode and headed onto the path before I noticed my huge mistake: this was the uphill way round. Nit But I did it.

5.06km

7m 16s per km

Not too bad - but my right knee might argue differently. If it were sentient.