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... 

 

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

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.

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

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 

Not so good

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

5.19km

7m 12s per km

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. 

Happy New Year

Yes, this really is the first run I've been on this year. In fact, the first one since 24 October.

So, yeah, I'm not really living up to my intention of 'being a runner'.

Excuses? I have had hMPV with added insanely sore throat and sinuses. It's been hanging around for 2 weeks now and I'm still coughing (even more so since I got back from my run)

I say 'run'. It was a test, that's all and it was a challenge. There was a junior Parkrun on Horfield Common and I felt outpaced.  My lungs are not at anything like full capacity thanks to the virus but I was proper struggling to get enough air. I can't do hills, even the gentle slopes were killing me. 

Anyhoo

3.69km

7m 11 s per km

I'm ok with that. My head said I'll do that 3 times a week and build up again. Maybe one day I will do it without any drama. This morning's drama was me taking about 5 mins to fasten my bra: there has to be a better system (but not the ones with a zip up the front - practical but dreadfully ugly)