tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26107765613272784972024-03-19T09:29:42.795+00:00Finding My Inner RunnerSomewhere along the line, I decided that becoming a runner might be a good idea and I embarked on the Couch to 5K plan. Within 9 months, I'd run my first Half Marathon.
This is where I share my thoughts and feelings about my running experiences.sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-86839892901867372022021-12-01T11:25:00.000+00:002021-12-01T11:25:06.311+00:004 Seasons, 1 Reason<div class="separator"><a border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="535" height="640" href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strongfuse-running" img="" rel="noopener" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioXUaU_o2_RdX8Wr5gShvJkwJcYTKnk8uVjjM04_fuixDv8s-z6H5DGpj8K41C25Rs0fkWQR8Lm21d2SbjfxEjBYPjWuGlkwASmMFoY-b-fF3mj2DLO_kG4bPdJOV3g5hiVZjQRhyHy7BTWnFbpO9hvzIzdByLboWkcOxSDxvJOVv-RP-GfotRaA=w386-h640" target="_blank" title="Miles For Mind - 4 Seasons, 1 Reason" width="386"></a></div><p><span face="FixEmoji, Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strongfuse-running" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9DXLSkYsPeY2DfjSHky1MHsTMFrPcgGsR89Miiu3VA59tKGRzME2e7XGJS7szsMD7hD25Uvr8-B0M-HCiUN3X1ivnZH58vmYddXrxWjdKxhFAQcnglR5ZLioUna8cm9QtHpBjpG3ZJ09DoRKoZF5xlHPwG038V3J0fIS1EvuotBTIjnJbN_QggQ=w241-h400" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miles for Mind has always been important to me, so having 4 seasonal challenges this year instead of just the traditional May version has given me even more reason to flex my running muscles.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Across the 4 challenges, I clocked up 757km (470 miles) which has been a huge contribution to my target of running 2021km this year (only 16km left to do it at the time of posting).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While the physical health benefits of running are obvious, for me, it is the boost to my mental health that is by far the biggest motivator to get me lacing up and heading out in all weathers and just going for however long/far feels right at whatever pace suits the run.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">2021 may not have been the easiest of years, but it has definitely had its highs as well as its lows.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Let's all celebrate the victories, big, small, and in between that we've achieved this year.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you feel like supporting my efforts by donating to <b><a href="https://www.samh.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)</a></b>, you can do so by visiting <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strongfuse-running" rel="noopener" target="_blank">my <b>JustGiving</b> page</a>.</p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34 , UK55.912086 -2.88546655.909680750975866 -2.8897575344238282 55.914491249024138 -2.881174465576172tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-27003619242319199542021-10-25T12:08:00.019+01:002021-12-01T12:13:56.366+00:00Race Report - Edinburgh 10k<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3M8dGZYm6lQn4ui-UBchpUsdXqNyapyOTYuje1uuH36jv5wos5Kxt6o4IBwqMnYbU2mQiGx89A9Ujy0wjMG5pXeYao8o-8V3BO2_K5y__mIhdccoOYeA3WjjzcENkN8rSdI2fnigXve-7n3v_6K9VRJPcxvkUdVRIcGPXW40hzvxdQtYqNmIjFw=s16000" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday was my second Edinburgh 10k, <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2019/08/edinburgh-mens-10k.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my first being in 2019</a> (last year's event got cancelled for some reason...). My stravas of both are attached for comparison.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Same route, pretty much the same conditions (it chucked it down prior to the start, but was dry and bright albeit decidedly chilly, with a gentle breeze throughout) and the 2km climb from 4.5-6.5km was still horrible.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I did the 2019 event, I'd only been running for 8 months and has only run 10k about a dozen times before. The official chip time of1:03:52 that I set on the day was a personal best at the time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Skip forward to yesterday, and another 250+ runs of 10k or more in the intervening 2 years and I posted an official chip time 54:17, which is currently my second fastest 10k time (the fastest being 53:43 which I ran during my HM at the end of September).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Taking my official times, I knocked 9½ minutes off my 2019 time with yesterday's run; despite moving up an age band category in that period.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the whole, I'm rather please with how yesterday went and the progress I've made.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Edinburgh EH1, UK55.9489062 -3.194427855.946503162188364 -3.1987193344238283 55.951309237811643 -3.190136265576172tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-60712125152003877972021-10-08T12:01:00.016+01:002021-12-01T12:07:33.141+00:00Achievement unlocked...<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQqIo4JJEK7ulqyzuT9QkXmbcZEeJT8xAltl2IrI58b0M3eQ2wX6VTt2OW4io5Frn4xC3RDl2VfcgeJRwnepwJJyIRbX7oEOgcYBP3WpictxDL2aK3Y-I-m8SqHyC3ItW0F_wneKVb_LOdRs4cU2jhMGEqa-l6k24KxPMno5dVU3he5HMSYB_d_A=w400-h400" width="400" /></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been having something of a hectic time, so haven't had time to share this one.</div><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Last year, <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/12/1-year-1001-miles.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">I clocked up the 1,000 mile mark</a> on 30 December. This year, I hit that particular landmark on Saturday. I'm not running more often this year, still typically heading out 3-4 times a week; the difference is the distances.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Last year I was averaging around 30km each week with one run being 10km or longer, but the rest being much shorter. This year, I'm averaging around 40km each week, with 10km being my starting distance. My average run distance this year is just over 12km compared with 9.5km last year.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">My goal is to run 2021km this year and I currently have a wee bit over 350km left to go.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">As an "after work" runner, I'm now moving into the night run season, which brings its own challenges. The Hi-Viz vest and headlamp have been dug out of the drawer (haven't been needed yet, but I suspect by next week they will) and the merino base layers have already made their first appearances.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So onwards we go, running down the remainder of the year.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Good luck to anyone with events coming up, and, as always, stay safe.</p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-3857597495262130692021-09-25T14:55:00.009+01:002021-12-01T12:01:02.077+00:00The "Saturday Strava Scribbles" Return<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="770" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ1imqVy6C7UoSy7XRz-oyU6ltPYtVt3aUjc9BEJfbXInUUKcWxqWuWnTpT54tdFtqcitMvKQloepVD-kxob7SuczHs8kHd3qRg0jQkkXOGDDdUB2a1bRe0DIRVeeIk0CC0ki_WhmsO7xINXmu2NFbElHUp_xivi25VHxIc6FZJihrI_SCGOZ8CA=w640-h471" width="640" /></div><br />So, it's been far too long and, while it wasn't a parkrun, it was, quite literally, a run in a park, trying to keep up with guys more than 30 years younger than me.<p></p><p>The conditions were perfect and, as you can see, the game had me pretty much covering the pitch. It did seem a little harder than I remember, but I'll put that down to Sunday's HM effort and nothing to do with being 15 months older than the last time I forced myself out of bed on a Saturday morning to do this kind of thing...</p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Linlithgow Rugby Club, EH49, UK55.972988 -3.61996555.968184840644042 -3.6285480688476563 55.977791159355959 -3.6113819311523438tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-57464751288657998802021-09-19T18:42:00.030+01:002021-12-01T11:54:56.414+00:00Scottish Half Marathon - Run Report<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="345" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0T-dYFWOcsUIlcjkGy0hRSCiJipalrKdpJIHhK2LB5ngwT0-0tUKZYc9j67epqoPAmjSWYYi8lp6rNGQ85bj59cTcCS6oghV8hJSthFNG-0R2zsMYAVLUAv0PdjEA0qguWkQsD0A2krj3-J6X5NJtr1mLdvZmXQLZTDKCdiXEQTP-vVUg-piD4Q=w350-h640" width="350" /></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, given that as recently as Tuesday, I wasn't sure if I'd be fit to even start the event, my goal was really just to try and ease myself round without aggravating my back which had, thankfully, pretty much settled.</p><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The "easing" bit, of course, went out the window as soon as I passed the start line, and I quickly settled into my familiar internal shouting match where I kept telling myself to slow down and get a grip of my pace.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It had been predicted to rain, but thankfully that held off and the conditions were almost perfect, about 15°C, dry and only a light head wind for part of the second half of the run.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The event bills itself as "Fast, flat & picturesque". Despite that, there are a few gentle inclines. The "picturesque" I can't argue with as it's the part of the world I live in and the start is less than 3 miles from my front door, but, to be honest, I wasn't really taking the scenery in as it all went past in a bit of a blur. Fast? Well, judge for yourself...</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">My official chip time is 1:59:06, which is 5 minutes faster than my previous PB. I wanted to go below 2 hours, so this ticked that box handsomely.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Along the way, some of my other PBs also fell and so, thanks to this run, these now stand at:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">5k - 26:20</li><li style="text-align: justify;">10k - 53:43</li><li style="text-align: justify;">10mi - 1:28:57</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, absolutely delighted with this run. My first "official" HM but my 13<sup>th</sup> time over the distance and it certainly wasn't an unlucky one.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Meadowmill Sports Centre, EH33, UK55.9535249 -2.964248755.948719132290108 -2.9728317688476564 55.958330667709888 -2.9556656311523439tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-29320295215985020222021-08-28T11:34:00.005+01:002021-12-01T11:41:34.990+00:00Parkrun #19 and other bits & bobs<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="555" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXn2QW1fkY64TvlTnje3dDqwrfhHtzTnPx3SlAMdfd3SN2eHc6TiVlQGIe2h0oicDT-I-sKBJb2_BMFH8G3i9I96UrHmPEZXTP_6MdH0FbQsEQnAjMPyBOvLFUho3OWyYUTmAuzY5Mh_b1BDALuLMKxvCR6FHazlboJPFqPdvbFAAnYUoL5C4M2Q=w400-h400" width="400" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having given last week a miss on account of the fact that my legs were still feeling a bit sorry for themselves after taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks the day before, today it was back to my familiar stomping ground of Vogrie Country Park for the second time since Parkrun returned to Scotland a fortnight ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last time out, I set an all-time Parkrun PB of 25:58; this week I was a wee bit slower at 26:49 but, actually, I was happier with this run. It felt better, my pacing was much more consistent, and I wasn't dead on my feet in the finishing funnel. Maybe it's something to do with running in a group (which I almost never do) but it's funny that I can comfortably pace 10k - HM, but 5k often catches me out. It possibly also has a lot to do with the fact I seldom run less than 10k and today was only my fifth run below that distance this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I digress. It was a lovely day. The early autumn sunshine was pleasantly warm, the track was generally dry underfoot and, all in all, it was a good run.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I've commented before, since Parkrun (and lower league rugby) were suspended, over the past 18 months, Saturday has become my long run day. Today, as with two weeks ago, having got home from Vogrie, I went out and did another 6½k just because my legs needed a little more punishing. As it turned out, that second run meant that I hit 875 miles for the year meaning I've successfully run the length of the UK from John o' Groats to Land's End in a little under 8 months. By way of context, in 2020, it took me until mid-November to cover the same distance. Now, I suppose, the challenge is to see if I can get to 1,000 miles for the year before my birthday in early October.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today's run also took my August Miles For Mind cumulative total to 99.5 miles. If I'd known I was that close to 100, I'd have kept going, but hey ho, such is life. I've two more runs to fit in before the month is over, so I think I should break that barrier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, that's enough whittering from me, hope you all have a great weekend. Happy running and stay safe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and for those of you who have followed me for a while, next month will see the return of the (in)famous "Saturday Squiggles".</div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Vogrie Country Park, UK55.8536882 -2.996241155.834425069098572 -3.0305733753906252 55.872951330901429 -2.9619088246093752tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-55034716474035973442021-07-29T11:28:00.001+01:002021-12-01T11:34:05.464+00:00The lockdown runner<p style="text-align: justify;">Back in March last year, when parkruns got cancelled and lock down started, I was a year on from starting C25K and my average distance per run was around 8.75k.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Skip forward to today and my average over May, June and July (so far) is now about 12.5k/run. It has, in fact, now been over 6 months since any run has been under 10k.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't say the above to brag, simply a recognition of the fact that for someone who just wanted to keep his fitness up between rugby seasons so that I didn't dread August rolling around each year on account of increasing age and it getting harder to pick up again each season, I really am amazed at how far (literally and figuratively) I've come since deciding to give Couch to 5K a try back in March 2019.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have had the good fortune to be active and have a reasonable degree of fitness all my life, but it's fair to say that now, in my 50s, I'm probably in the best physical shape I've been in my entire adult life, and it's all down to me deciding to download an app to my phone and deciding to try.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Just goes to show what you can achieve with a good training plan and determination.</p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-18832097338399551812021-07-24T14:57:00.002+01:002021-07-24T14:57:46.758+01:00100 Runs<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Celebrating 100 runs so far this year." border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1600" height="276" img="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt542jdfh4wwgDwTXNK__YoO0ncXgnjgnxJ8ME83CSic1m1JahgpM30Fy4ZWFhDw0HLXRXPxeooTaf5u3kVkTHAprEiUB6YIt6LKy8Nx-T7M1InlQ7XqtlcwH6IXejurCddgNIZfQAVA/w320-h276/100.jpg" title="100 Runs" width="320" /></p></div><p>My run today was my 100<sup>th</sup> run of 2021. It brought my total distance for the year to date to 1,192.9km (741.25 miles), making my average running distance this year 11.9km (7.4 miles). </p><p>My pace today was nothing especially noteworthy at 6:46/km, but that is pretty standard for my long, easy paced runs. The point for me being that, as a rule, I don't pay any attention to my pace until after I'm finished. Unless I'm taking part in an event or actually pushing myself for a PB, mostly I'm running on the basis of what just "feels right" In the current temperatures, the pace I set felt OK and allowed me to get a good distance in my legs.</p><p>It is strange, in a way that, while I can (and sometimes do) run faster than I could this time last year, by and large, a lot of the time I'm actually running at around the same pace. The difference is that it running at that pace means I'm left with much more in the tank at the end of a run and I am averaging 2.5 - 3km/run more than I was at the same point last year.</p><p>My "hot take" from this is that pace is really only as important as you make it. For me, it is just all about getting out there and covering the ground. Yes, sometimes it's good to push harder to see if you can actually go faster, and that feeling of triumph when you set a new PB is hard to beat, but increasingly, as my strength, stamina and, yes, speed, have built over the past two years, it has increasingly become about finding my "happy pace" that just lets me get out and cover as much ground as I can, for as long as feels right on any given run.</p><p>I run for my mental health as much, if not more than for my physical health, and running provides a kind of meditative calm for me, where I can clear my mind and concentrate on nothing but the sounds of my breathing, my feet hitting the ground, and the natural world all around me.</p><p>The best thing, I think, is that we can all take the gains we want from it, whether that be being able to run for a certain distance or time or whether we can run a particular distance in a certain time. There are no wrong answers or options.</p><p>So, my one bit of advice to anyone who thinks they aren't running fast enough or far enough is, you're doing fine, you're running, don't beat yourself up and actually give yourself the credit deserve for simply being able to lace up and head out for however far you go at whatever pace you do it at.</p><p>Stay safe.<br /></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.912086 -2.88546655.910883398668417 -2.8876117672119141 55.913288601331587 -2.883320232788086tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-53586658990537318132021-05-31T11:30:00.001+01:002021-05-31T11:32:07.557+01:00Miles For Mind - 200km<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Collage of Running Maps" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4VUvdmkMpHn4P-i5hraRxx8XNZDClKmhLCuCCGc5I5G4NhDL6vh6iGL2wlPr-RSKPAVYgDKdBYe17q1Ez_MjXUWFE0hHxmynL4sXMI_ndd3_afCAnwksDgJ29IrsSXeyzgiJt8_h8A/w400-h400/Untitled.png" title="2021 Miles For Mind Running Maps Collage" width="400" /> </p></div><p>Yesterday, I completed my third "Miles For Mind" challenge. My first, in 2019, was the month that I completed Couch to 5K and my total of 66.75 km/41.5 miles, while modest by the distances I cover today was, not surprisingly, the most I had ever run cumulatively in a single month at that point. It was a month that, not only did I graduate the C25K programme, I also ran my first 5k and my first Parkrun.</p><p>Skip forward to 2020. Lockdown was upon us and the distances I was covering during my 3/4 weekly runs was increasing. My target was an achievable 50 miles for the month. I started strongly, bringing my half-marathon time under 2 hours 15 and, over the course of the month, I totaled 122.75 km/76.25 miles.</p><p>In October, <a href="https://runr.co.uk" target="_blank">runr</a> also set the "Leave Nothing But Footprints" challenge. That month was also the month that I turned 50, so I had a fairly obvious target to aim at. Another half-marathon brought my time below 2 hours 10. A 10 mile run later in the month took my time for that distance under 1 hour 45. My halloween run took me beyond 100 miles for a single month for the first time ever and I finished with a new cumulative highest ever monthly total of 174.5 km/108.4 miles.</p><p>So, that brings us to this year. There was the spring challenge in February. My total of 147 km/91.5 miles was quite a bit down on recent months, but this was still achieved against the backdrop of one of the worst winters in over a decade and running in snow and ice which, I discovered, is not fun. Because February is a short month, I'd deliberately "aimed low" and only set myself a target of 75 miles so, weather and a bad fall (not running related) not withstanding, I hit that target comfortably; including a snowy half-marathon, ran in just under 2 hours 25.<br /></p><p>So that brings us back to this month. Having run 185 km/115 miles in April (a newhighest cumulative monthly total), I was interested to see how far I could push it but I didn't have a fixed target in mind; just "see if I could beat last month". As the month proceeded, the runs just ticked along. The runs included an almost inevitable 10 mile and another half-marathon but neither were anything special in terms of pace; they were simply just me out there putting miles in the legs while enjoying the countryside around the village I live in. The most notable thing of any of the runs was <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2021/05/getting-too-close-to-nature.html" target="_blank">being strafed by a bad-tempered buzzard</a>. Eventually, I got to the final run, and I knew exactly what I was doing. I'd already beaten last month's total and the 200 km mark was in sight. So that's what I did; my final run of the month took me to 200.5 km/124.5 miles. As I mentioned, none of the runs (buzzard attack aside) had been noteworthy, but cumulatively they'd taken me to a total distance that I could not have imagined back in 2019, and even last year would have seemed a stretch.</p><p>There are the summer (August) and autumn (November) challenges still to complete. It'll be ineresting (to me, if no one else) to see what results they produce.</p><div align="center"><img alt="Miles For Mind - Spring 2021 Logo" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTSvqAJJ8T7W5oAiJmG0Ak-IYgobyv7qjxMf2lVEbYvqbJvWDGMyZ6xNI8a2YRFixLnVMSOeSOBlmjZFhgH3tUwhlKA1SYhzab1J5rRaxDyhSsR8DHW6KVTFf-SsHs0OlLgX6QTdJyA/w320-h320/05-May.PNG" title="Miles For Mind - May 2021" width="320" /></div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-66391250916812189922021-05-22T17:22:00.001+01:002021-05-22T17:22:41.506+01:00Getting (too) close to nature<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Buzzard in flight" border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="710" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiqoqKWHNUtdhlTn6D_fxdr2CbjWvYQwJFOwaQQIe_cRWlmrBy0Z47xIEpIpLXNZR3iG2MyE1YBOi6ji99NU9nr0L0ESkcw-I5_7Cr_Pi8AS3r9nKD5xmmizq3xN3e1G7-jbl9S4G1Q/w400-h400/IMG_20200917_120338_461.jpg" title="Buzzard in flight" width="400" /><br /> </p></div><p>Or, possibly more accurately, nature getting too close to me... </p><p></p><p>As runners, we're used to picking up minor injuries: strains, pulls, twists, scratches and stings; they are pretty much an occupational hazard.
Getting strafed by an pissed off buzzard, and being left with a light talon scratch on your scalp is, however, possibly one of the more exotic and "you really had to be there" injuries that can befall us. </p><p>The buzzard in question is rather specacular and has a reputation for providing close encounters with unwary ramblers and runners in the vicinity.</p><p>There are quite a few buzzards around where I live and I often encounter them flying quite low through the woods when I'm out on the paths around Pencaitland and the surrounding area. I can't deny, having one fly at eye-level just a few feet in front of you is an amazing experience. I could, however, have done without the insight into how its prey must feel when it's hunting.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/6821697142" title="Morning Run - Pencaitland/West Saltoun/Nisbet 11.75k" width="465"></iframe><img alt="Strava Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1314" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTBG_Nnjk7D0I8WFD1JNYp9Bl4y6UeK_Xvpp-coCdDHl6yVtoo2-yGlnD2AwgGFBXd7CAjFlDOXb7aObPqwwm1p_UORQYMmbSbinbBIsqn8fmeiJCCPNmmZD46sb4LxHJ90o7L0uHrw/w640-h310/Capture.PNG" title="Strava Run Graph" width="640" /></div><br /> <p></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH3455.909951799999988 -2.857354555.905141241001829 -2.8659375688476563 55.914762358998146 -2.8487714311523438tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-41301318789546918672021-03-30T19:16:00.019+01:002021-03-31T09:30:14.223+01:00Can't complain...<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="603" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6rfFW7KxXunLV5c7E_1QJwNRjEx1apHd3RwfnizL4VajgsrhPYzV2V89dMt10bEV43nvUkjm6qVbZQpanRRwdB7IBn8Kb8d55mGk3NUg-JQaFs0z6bmuWFbcqQ-FfJBb11W4ohWVAQ/w266-h278/post_3d54cadc53d94d26b5e5aedbea36f1b7_637527312721697155%255B1%255D.jpg" width="266" alt="Garmin Run Stats" /></div></div>So, first evening run after the clocks going forward, so I set off secure in the knowledge that I had plenty of time to do my run and not have to worry about losing daylight. Actually, in all honesty, that's been true the last couple of weeks, but the clock change gave me an extra hour of buffer. <div><br /></div><div>So, with that in mind, did I go for a long, leisurely plod (which is kind of what I had in mind when I left the house)? </div><div><br /></div><div>No, for some reason my legs had other ideas.
Long story short, a new 10k of 56:04, knocking 2:15 off my previous time.
I've been averaging around 6:15-6:30/km recently, so no idea where this burst of pace suddenly came from, but it would definitely be churlish of me to complain about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, hope you are all staying safe. Happy running...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/6520515310" title="Afternoon Run - Pencaitland 11.5k" width="465"></iframe><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1077" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cc5ggXh8z9vbZGBymg_RriDKVXu1sHOFNSxlM3oKs83wyo16zfnYgoW9MFqHdc9seEVetc7-KkgBIzUb4iKm4XgjYdgVAj3m14O3FTsp7EdgPgU8_mZpm_lZp_FBSiADvgdx77STgg/w640-h316/Capture.PNG" width="640" alt="Strava Run Graph" /></div><br /><div><br /></div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, EH3455.9067738 -2.89588255.906172408312955 -2.8969548836059569 55.907375191687052 -2.8948091163940428tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-23565656928397734022021-03-27T17:40:00.012+00:002021-03-28T12:52:43.822+01:00Kilomathon of sorts<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Run Stats" border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="597" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ODBNnF_VSCoh8xRqngp7EdW97NvJtB8VbOKu23JzMxInojf_bg36Drx5_xPvQ7tSMaRcyfUcCyWu4qnsxJ8PJtGKvhFFANVcnc-qDa4inQZkg58VCHPNBaOOcECTs-FQqX1yo0j3zg/w259-h274/post_3ac.jpg" width="259" /></div></div><p></p>Last year's Edinburgh <a href="https://www.kilomathon.com/" target="_blank">Kilomathon</a> (13.1km run) was cancelled,
strangely enough, and this year's one is due to be a virtual one on 11
April, which I was scheduled to take part in. <p></p><p>Today my big blue
envelope dropped through the letterbox telling me that I get my first
dose of the Covid vaccine on 9 April. Great news on the vax front, on
the run side of things, possibly not so much. </p><p>Granted, I can
actually do it any time in the next 12 months if necessary but I decided
that I would get a "contingency one" under my belt today, just so I
have it to fall back on if necessary. </p><p>Hopefully, by the time next year's one rolls around, we'll be able to do more than just virtual events. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/6500516596" title="Lunchtime Run - Pencaitland 13.1k" width="465"></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1298" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqE1T6BVECNYgBPbKWZkChd7VhI-Wfln-Cbmd4J7D3-eHuvwrrcpYgeqZqszlBMwT01w97rD84dZwcbaatCNBVnwq5H9Gi9FzhhsFY42qquAfMLRQy9POV4ajb1xRJ7rq_W9MTbDETA/w640-h306/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></div><br /> <p></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, EH34, UK55.913097 -2.88480155.91069173156157 -2.8890925344238281 55.915502268438431 -2.8805094655761718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-57895919515942601602021-03-09T19:50:00.001+00:002021-03-09T19:56:06.997+00:00<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="The reason I run" border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ozQuaQ8KxaQEOWVt3aVg7xUxH4K-bC9U3PjXezIC3O57S3Q5JDvoz4SfQPXw5lBpNCI_tLwE30wDKMvZtm4t1bDC6LQYnf6TPZSgFcPuHSkkLOs6gK3y-H6xLx36hRody2Hf2gE4A/w274-h400/Screenshot_20200321-232719.jpg" title="The reason I run" width="274" /></div></div><p></p>Two years ago, having finally shaken of the tendonitis that had put paid to
my first attempt at the Couch to 5k plan, I finally put all the excuses behind me,
laced up my shoes that had been gathering dust since I unboxed them at
Christmas, and started my running journey in earnest. There were a couple of
"training runs" along the way, but I completed the programme in May
2019 and quickly moved on to JuJu's 10k plan which got me to 10k on 1 July that
year. Before 2019 was finished, I'd get to 10 miles in October and my first HM
in November and, by the time the bells rang in 2020, I'd clocked up over 500
miles.<p></p>
<p>Then, 2020...</p>
<p>Well, actually, from a running perspective, it turned out better than
anticipated. Yes, OK, so the final parkrun was a year ago this weekend just
past, and all the organised events I'd entered were cancelled or postponed
until some indeterminate point in the future, but running, it seemed, was an
escape and helped my cope with the whole general topsy-turveyness of it all, so
I kept on running.</p>
<p>I entered lockdown running 20-25km each week and by the time the year ended,
I'd run a shade over 1,000 miles during 2020, including another 6 half-marathons,
completing a JoGLE challenge in November and was averaging 30-40km on a weekly
basis.</p>
<p>2021, despite the snowy conditions in early February has continued where
2020 left off. 29 runs completed, covering just over 200 miles so far and an
average distance per run of just over 11km (helped, in part by half-marathon #8
a couple of weeks back).</p>
<p>Two years ago, I was almost 18kg/2¾ stone heavier than I am today, and I
doubted if I would make it to 30 minutes and/or 5k; 10k seemed like an almost
impossible goal. Beyond 10k, I didn't even consider. Even when I started the
10k plan, I wasn't sure I'd actually get there and, once I did, I suspected
that it would be an occasional thing. Little did I realise that, in less than
two years, it would pretty much be my "go to" starting distance and
not my occasional maximum.</p>
<p>I have now run more 10k+ runs (136) than I have 5k+ runs (105), where:</p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li> 5k+ = 5k or more but less than 10k; and</li><li>10k+ = 10k or more, but less than 10 miles</li></ul>
<p>It's fair to say that my ability to run further and for longer and to keep piling on the miles over the
past two years in ways that far surpassed my own expectations.</p>
<p>In addition to the weight loss and the improvement in my overall fitness, my
mental health has, despite the uncertainties of the world we live in, been
boosted to the point that I have been ant-depressant free for 9 months, having
previously been on them since 2004.</p>
<p>I realise, a lot of this is down to me and my own personal drives and, in no
small measure, my quirks, but the difference in such a relatively short time
(relative to my 50+ years on the planet) is nothing short of transformational.</p>
<p>All of us are on our own journeys, and this has been a very short summary of
mine. For those who have followed me on this journey, I owe a huge
vote of thanks for the support and encouragement. For those encountering me for
the first time, I hope this provides some inspiration.</p>
<p>My key tips would be:</p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Don't fret about time, distance or speed, just run your own runs</li><li>It isn't a competition, so don't stress</li><li>Bad runs happen, but they are still runs, so you haven't failed</li><li>Just enjoy it and if you can't enjoy the actual runs, enjoy the feelings once
they are complete</li><li>Never let anyone tell you you aren't a runner, you are, irrespective of
"your" particular distance</li></ul>
<p>I could probably waffle on even more, but I'll leave it there.</p>
<p>Happy running and now, more than ever, stay safe.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com1Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.9098817 -2.896225555.909280350181064 -2.8972983836059569 55.910483049818936 -2.8951526163940429tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-83320658273970292062020-12-29T12:06:00.006+00:002021-02-01T19:39:36.093+00:001 Year, 1,001 Miles<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="843" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VcXhJw27gO7go_0LLPBbryG9i1pt-qUYSKnMmLJ78P-kA-MjweG49GGBWsDeAxNaeKUYnQOfc9vGm9r0iDsJVQhmNe-xW34gMtbqYwal8kc-xUJ5AeyFdjKQmb-o56zmUe_1duiGVA/s320/1000+Miles.png" width="320" /></div>I realise that there are still a few days left, and I need to squeeze in a 30 minute challenge run before the year is out, so my total will probably edge up a little further, but yesterday I hit the 1,000 mile mark for running in 2020.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has, for all of us, been a very different year from the one we were probably looking forward to at this point last year. For me, I suspect running is one of the things that has helped most in getting me through it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back at the start of 2020, I set myself some goals:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
See how much lower I could take my 5k PB below 28:38</li><li>Get my 10k PB below one hour from 1:03:49</li><li>Get my 10 mile PB below 1:45:00 from 1:49:29</li><li>Get my Half Marathon PB below 2:30:00 from 2:30:23</li><li>Complete the equivalent of John o' Groats to Land's End (874 miles) by the end of the year.</li></ul><div>As the year passed, my runs increased in length and duration, and I ticked the goals off one by one so that they now stand at:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>5k - 26:36</li><li>10k - 58:19</li><li>10 miles - 1:34:29</li><li>HM - 2:05:46</li><li>John o' Groats - Land's End <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/11/end-to-end.html" rel="nofollow">completed</a> 22 November</li></ul>In the absence of Parkrun and organised events, it's been a year of virtual challenges and races, of online communities and virtual running buddies. It's been a year that has challenged and pushed many of us to discover capabilities that we didn't know we had. For me, yesterday was another one of those achievements. I didn't believe that I'd manage 1,000 miles this year; it was always something I thought I'd do "some day". Even at the start of December, while I knew it was possible, it still seemed unlikely. A fortnight ago, it started to look like, if everything aligned, it might just happen, then yesterday, it did.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been quite a journey and I'm interested to see where 2021 takes me (and hopefully it takes me beyond the boundaries of my village and local surrounds so that I can discover some new places to run in).</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I hope everyone had a lovey Christmas and that 2021 brings you health and happiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, stay safe.</div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.913097 -2.88480155.910691751953607 -2.8890925344238281 55.915502248046394 -2.8805094655761718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-30676295605308634922020-12-26T15:59:00.000+00:002020-12-29T11:36:55.601+00:00The Boxing Day burn offWas I feeling in the mood to head out today?<br />
<br />
No.<br />
<br />
Did I head out and run anyway?<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
Safe to say, was feeling a little flat and could have safely stayed on the sofa watching Boxing Day films all day, but that would almost certainly have added to the flatness of my mood. So, instead, I got myself up, changed and headed out with no expectations other than the knowledge that anything was better than nothing.<br />
<br />
67 minutes (so pretty average time) and 10k later and I'm definitely feeling better for it and it made a nice change to be running in daylight again for once.<br />
<br />
Anyway, to anyone reading this, I hope you had a good Christmas. Still time to get a couple of runs in before 2019 becomes history...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/4369083338" title="Boxing Day Pencaitland 10k" width="465"></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1170" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUe6NvnHZnlZmfvHJKlHaA0IM4-xBUa9WUxR8o-Od_H5BWHJ-tlGNx3twV660nKq1IOHT6GR6Vulio6ov1ITXghH_itkl0xMc9Jqi-cyUcid41AyU-HWuZ3X-eVKo7zlIGYcdsfsC3A/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></div>
<br />sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.909318752048854 -2.889133472468559155.907093752048851 -2.8941759724685592 55.911543752048857 -2.8840909724685591tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-14589177515485284072020-11-23T09:57:00.003+00:002020-11-23T10:26:19.886+00:00End To End<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Map of UK showing John o' Groats to Land's End" border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSZ3cHtleykJvJ208BWXGouoq-pKzAPTwQw3Q5z0vHWFqf-hjnW-CXi5EgRvs8kJHgmKCSh1cY4JhwRf1wyW_ctSBxd7gBx4OvIqBky1sjy_AW5jMnRAQ4CCNuOixfkrRmgP-MXHDhw/w225-h320/JoGLE.jpg" title="JOGLE 2020" width="225" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I opened my 2020 running account on 2 January with a fairly leisurely 10k. It was only 10 months after I'd started my Couch to 5k Journey but, having already completed my first Half Marathon distance and getting my 5k PB below 30 minutes in November, I was pretty chuffed with the progress I'd made so far.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My plans for 2020 didn't really come to much at that point. This was before many of us would discover just how important running would become over the course of the year, but I had some vague goals; keep chipping away at my 5k time, get my 10k under an hour, bring my Half Marathon time under 2 hours 15 and, in addition to Parkrun, take part in a number of the organised events locally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The distance/time goals would be achieved, but sadly every event (including Parkrun) would be cancelled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one thing that was becoming obvious was that both my pace and stamina were definitely increasing. I had set a very vague goal of averaging around 100k per month, but I was exceeding this easily.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around about May, while doing the Miles For Mind challenge, I stumbled across the LEJOG/JOGLE idea. In the absence of any organised events, I decided that attempting to run the recognised road distance between the two extremities of mainland UK would be something to push me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Distance Marker at John o' Groats" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="784" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecJtb5c31JpJd7hksKM8arLrpGoQb1kiyWqw5NA6Mgd37EA-v3uw37ohBkQWMkm7TmCjQVmdZ9DvTO3jtchvtQuSFT6f9II1PTV1xBCAI0-fF_7r8Kl7IKjpMQOgXJeF-3WOAk3xC6A/w200-h191/John_o%2527_Groats_Signpost.jpg" title="Distance Marker at John o' Groats" width="200" /></div>As it turned out, about a fortnight after completing <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/05/milesformind-job-done.html" target="_blank">Miles For Mind</a>, I also completed <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/06/from-one-end-to-other.html" target="_blank">my first JOGLE</a> since commencing Couch to 5k the previous March and it had taken me a few days over 15 months to achieve it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being that we were already almost half way into 2020 at this point, I tallied up how far I'd run so far, and worked out what I'd need to do each month if I wanted to complete the task during 2020 and it turned out I needed to do around 120k each month for the rest of the rear. By that point, I was typically running around 120-125k each months, so I decided that it was doable and set out on the task.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one thing I didn't really count on, was that, as a result of lockdown, I would spend more time running, and the longer I spent running, the greater my monthly totals would be. I actually missed my target in June, running "only" 113k, but after that, the totals climbed steadily. July: 130k, August: 145k September: 152k, October: 174k. All this meant that, at the start of November, I had essentially gained myself a month's worth of running and I only needed 125k to complete the challenge. Yesterday, I reached that goal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not quite sure what to do in the remaining five weeks of 2020, but I suspect there will be an element of taking things a bit easier (particularly over the holiday period , such as it will be this year), but I suspect a reasonable distance will still be covered. In theory, if I keep up my current weekly average, I could reach 1,000 miles for 2020, but I've already set that as my goal for 2021 and my legs could do with a bit of a rest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, happy running, and stay safe.</div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.9098817 -2.896225555.907476239468593 -2.900517034423828 55.912287160531406 -2.8919339655761718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-3752671869677816672020-10-29T19:45:00.003+00:002020-10-29T19:50:18.242+00:00 The 100 mile month #LeaveNothingButFootprints<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tlf-kilomathon-2020" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Leave Nothing But Footprints Poster" border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="582" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hEdzPOTt3Y2yOxETVKYRJHETNnnBXrwKY9ePtC2tLdkWKc1z7nZaN3VoeYQCnLJcvZ3J-t29NfaUYjQ-GQk7boCUL0a10vmS7c09luDlXbA0fXNxI5nGsrgYCahm7EOg-BNe-uUCUQ/w264-h400/Footprints.png" title="Leave Nothing But Footprints" width="264" /></a></div>Like a lot of people, back in May, I signed up for <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/search/label/%23MilesForMind" target="_blank">Miles For Mind</a>, organised by <a href="https://www.runr.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>runr</b></a>, and managed to push myself to 75 miles for the month. I had actually run slightly further than that in both March and April this year, but this was the first time I had set a target for the month that I was essentially accountable to anyone other than myself for achieving and I did it with a little over a mile and a quarter to spare.<p></p><p>The team at <b>runr</b> decided that this year they would organise their first autumn challenge, <b><i><a href="https://www.runr.co.uk/collections/leave-nothing-but-footprints-virtual-run" target="_blank">#LeaveNothingButFootprints</a></i></b>. Yet again, this would be in aid of the charity, <a href="https://www.mind.org.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Mind UK</b></a>. Now, while <b>Mind</b> are a fantastic charity, they don't currently operate in Scotland but, because mental health is a cause that's important to me, I wanted to get behind this so, instead, I dedicated my fundraising efforts on behalf of the <b><a href="https://www.samh.org.uk/" target="_blank">Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)</a></b>.</p><p>October 10th was World Mental Health Day and, by a spooky coincidence, October was the month where I clocked up 50 years of existence on this planet so I set myself the symbolic target of 50 miles and signed up. </p><p>Now, 50 miles is a distance I knew I could run; I had after all ran 75 miles back in May. In fact, either because or in spite of the corona virus restrictions we've had to endure this year, my monthly average over March - September has been a bit over 80 miles/month.</p><p>Almost inevitably, I reached the 50 mile mark with half of October still to go, so I thought why not try for 100 miles instead?</p><p>Tonight, after 15 runs (including a 5k on my birthday, a half-marathon personal best of 2 hours 8 minutes two days later and a 10 mile two weeks after that), I broke through that 100 mile mark, making this the furthest I have ever run in a single month (and I still, potentially, have one run left to squeeze in on Saturday).</p><p>So, it has been quite a month and, at the moment, I'm feeling quite emotional. I think I may even have a cheeky celebratory beer just to savour the achievement.</p><p>If you would like to support me, and more importantly, <b>SAMH</b>, please visit my <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tlf-kilomathon-2020" target="_blank">Just Giving page</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5745464008" title="#LeaveNothingButFootprints Run 15 - Pencaitland 10k" width="465"></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1092" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3bhZr2_1IEuLw21Tt6unE8zXCw6Vbd_vTdo4YbB5AuyDCBEIb0EaZh5Eb2UMGRXun80OmMkXCtMMfnt4qo5a3UBuC0UKKIBE4g3iBaKJyJ_RUNDlewu0qumy3aUA05TBuLl-wIQS5g/w640-h304/Screenshot+2020-10-29+191525.png" title="RunGraph" width="640" /></div><br /><p><br /></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.913097 -2.88480155.908286617679536 -2.8933840688476562 55.917907382320465 -2.8762179311523437tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-43488840111213742752020-10-27T20:04:00.003+00:002020-10-27T20:04:27.576+00:00Journey's end...<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Saucony Peregrine Running Shoes" border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="2048" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVM923MkloyAUO5S9Qb6_DdNBnNRV47JjXQylFT9gshoct8y1xX5qFvTlGBd6a2Hdm9eIIBcu0yjd-OxflwZXgZGnDN9QLPzJchCEYUhgQmdfed8iOTXkmw6mJS6yGmbtCl0xFcoFyw/w320-h273/IMG_20201027_192345__01__01.jpg" title="Saucony Peregrine Running Shoes" width="320" /></div></div><p></p>They've been through a lot. Since I first laced them up on <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2019/03/starting-again.html" target="_blank">11 March 2019</a> and set out on my Couch to 5k adventure, to their final 10k tonight; covering every distance from that first one minute "jog" all the way through to a half-marathon. In total we've shared a shade over 500 miles/800km together, but now their race is run.<p></p><div>We've had a lot of good times up to this point, and a few not so good ones, but they've always got me safely to the end of whatever run I've been on with them. The cushioning may be a distant memory and my big toe has rather assertively made its presence known through the top of the tight toe-box but I think it's fair to say that they owe me absolutely nothing and can now enjoy what time they have left as those trainers I use for pottering around in the garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy your retirement...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5736891523' title='#LeaveNothingButFootprints Run 14 - Pencaitland 10.5k' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1082" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n8pqYWDVefnypk2UyoMLMFp0RZQX9Cun5GTXlGukQaaq_ACg67xJFp071w0MnR8za-e4UTQZ9-OX46g0iHeVT5zQtkbGT50bGPlfn4FPWv3i8y1_qtHsAqW7jgiqifDh6Lx3fQVI0g/w640-h318/Screenshot+2020-10-27+195732.png" title="Run Graph" width="640" /></div><br /><div><br /></div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.9059053 -2.897193355.903499625840283 -2.9014848344238282 55.908310974159718 -2.892901765576172tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-4326743932172275472020-09-08T20:38:00.000+01:002020-09-08T20:38:01.649+01:00Ticking along...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JjOtOGb5LMNiy9ZO0562PiOhhrii4243LhYIFbzEUk2t8A-HFh2ICs0JNjQM8DYY272FFKzIZ_hdORBwMOhdMPGSxImjWmSKxMYWxdLITmJ1klmFFlAF2XyDGGWGEfSVCLjDf76tXg/s320/Annotation+2020-09-08+201330.png" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tonight's run was one of those unremarkable in every way runs. It wasn't especially fast, or slow, the weather wasn't in any way notable, good or bad; everything about it screamed average in every way (obviously it didn't actually scream as that would have been notable, it was more of polite volume, but you get my drift).</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Runs like this are sort of bread and butter. Not every run needs to be, or even can be a personal best; the majority of runs are just about getting out there and enjoying (if that's the right word) the feeling of just getting out there and putting some time and distance into the legs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Trouble is, I am a bit of a stat fiend. So when I logged tonight's effort I couldn't help notice that this otherwise unremarkable run was the run that took my 2020 distance to date over 1,000km. Given my average monthly distance, I knew I was likely to get there at some point, but I was pleasantly surprised that I did it tonight.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, it turns out that tonight's unremarkable run was actually notable after all. Who would have thought it?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5507114929' title='Evening Run - Pencaitland 10k' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1076" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hiHL7xku45e-zN-AxxXCBb9ldszWY5YMllHWguPL-FqbHmkUy1Gk3w3t7VQHOv6aqikCS2uIrZZBoGiYmENs98zaYnKBAHPJLcCQdsgvG83G2Y91ms55jpC7HutmCf4vfEqK267xgQ/w625-h306/Annotation+2020-09-08+201330.png" title="Run Graph" width="625" /></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland EH34, UK55.900903 -2.903345955.896091139717583 -2.9119289688476564 55.905714860282416 -2.8947628311523439tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-53558680042544274772020-08-23T14:09:00.000+01:002020-08-23T14:09:15.449+01:00Negative splits<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Chart showing 1km split times" border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="329" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFYY2hyitgs1bIt4-hVrCqlHy7AKHJSjVE34eh-b1f3A2dC6JJyisq5LuMnAEorD0x1OaRE2tvVCEojzmWKFdHJuawIxpdFruXbcf4tc80nhda4D5AyVh2NCe-yvR4BldfGiKG_DyKQ/w320-h318/Capture.JPG" title="Negative Splits" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes this running thing throws up occasional pleasant surprises; the unexpected additional distance or the unintended PB. Today's surprise was discovering that I'd managed the "holy grail" of negative splits.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I wasn't aiming for a fast time; I'd already done a 7k+ session with my Sunday morning running group and this was simply a solo after-group session that has become my traditional "scenic route" home from the park where the sessions are held.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The route is one that I have run many times (although usually in the other direction); a mixture of roughish forest path and hard packed dirt former railway foot/cycle/bridle path. I wasn't putting any real effort into it; just simply zoning out, plodding along enjoying my surroundings. I wasn't paying any attention to the timings when each kilometre split buzzed on my wrist.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The was no "pressure" on me to achieve a particular time, pace or distance. The thing with doing a route that is effectively a commute between where I am and home, that familiarity means I know the distance of, is that there was never any need to check my progress; I knew the route and I knew where it would take me, so off I went.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">5km later and it's only when I look at it <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/3953387436" target="_blank">on Strava</a> that I notice; adding a nice surprise to what had been a relaxed run that had been completely unnotable in every way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5427449501' title='Vogrie (not)Parkrun - Pencaitland 5k' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="1179" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5bkeEKEUumoMBvBWf3BwrORlhz2eQ1YoY5zfsbsrWpH5dUnrSxt3OoQ9Hv0AKGKuAy7GCVVUwh_7DZYdoH5Wz5Zocw2LU7GVXXnuFS57me59hvwLT4IYvriUCBS7FwbIZzHGGm6FEA/w640-h313/Capture2.JPG" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland EH34 , UK55.908018 -2.922468655.906815246145193 -2.9246143672119143 55.909220753854804 -2.9203228327880861tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-2029082626965918022020-08-13T09:51:00.001+01:002020-08-13T09:51:16.087+01:00Hmmmm <div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Back Of Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2020 Finisher's T-Shirt" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t8QuQOS30HYaQkTR9VkOHLg3I9UvEka_2-3VwS6zLUa7FvZIwbimGkCGpIWopvGsrWnyklwPnB8O6Py65mOyhx90Edc8lbaCh682g8tFliqXDZXQcVDQMsJUAR47MlVCwZeCCM2TIQ/w320-h320/IMG_20200805_203703__01.jpg" title="2020 Finisher?" width="300" /></div></div>So, with the cancellation of just about every event possibly this year on account of the "C-Word", the organisers of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival decided to <a href="https://virtual.edinburghmarathon.com/" target="_blank">go virtual</a>. All you had to do was pick a distance, 5/10/HM/M, send them evidence of your time along with the entry fee and they would send you a finisher's pack (bib number, medal, t-shirt). <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I sent them my <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/05/miles-for-mind.html" target="_blank">2 hour 14 HM from May</a> when I was doing Miles For Mind, and I duly received my goody-bag. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Much as I do love a "freebie" t-shirt, I can't help shake the nagging feeling that, with this year being the way it is, actually we<span style="text-align: right;">aring this any time before 1 January next year is possibly being slightly presumptive.</span></div></div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Edinburgh EH1, UK55.9485947 -3.199913554.739303343359047 -5.397179125 57.157886056640955 -1.002647875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-28346363455732929302020-08-12T19:26:00.001+01:002020-08-12T21:42:19.075+01:00Two very different runs<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Stats For Two 10k Runs" border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGoayX10bpQsrtBzAPTF1zNnb03k0ZgS6YMKx-JlXSYRycsbiVCieUXcn2ykXyy5cD70cLlpRFsA1bG1TLtV8YonlMPkpJWI4zZJZjTnDYobwQX3LxNXEVEAYkpLsXhR2aNZlTNrZCQ/w266-h320/13120.jpg" title="Stats For Two 10k Runs" width="266" /></div></div>On Saturday, a twitter friend was celebrating having got up early and smashing her 10k PB. as it was nearly lunchtime when I read her post, I congratulated her on her achievement and commented that given the temperature, there was no chance of any PBs happening on the run I was about to head off on.<br />
<br />
It turns out, I lied.<br />
<br />
I ran only my second ever sub-60 minute 10k, setting a new PB of 58:19. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be the understatement of the year.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I went out for another run; 10k again. There was less elevation, I was deliberately taking it slow, but dearie me it was a tough one. I was well rested, well hydrated; it was actually cooler than Saturday, but I was obviously still experiencing some sort of hangover from my weekend exertions.<br />
<br />
Not to worry though, it's still another run in the legs and under the belt, taking me to 55k so far for the month.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5375681493' title='Afternoon Run - Pencaitland 10k' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe><img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1165" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjks-vbTJ9ABAISen4cR0KehdX0SBbmksjtEQ2ZP8ST2GEKnMUmMe20ulD6O_H2WIHxUDLzVKRJc48TryetrsMasjupujyr4pX8YZ-Z2hsiusJw2WlVyXxdA8uMfTjGfdOJ05w94QLA/w640-h316/13120.jpg" title="Run Graph" width="640" /></div><div><br />
<br /></div>sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.9106442 -2.888649455.908238791279658 -2.8929409344238279 55.913049608720343 -2.8843578655761717tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-81898384904550649602020-07-12T15:30:00.000+01:002020-07-13T12:14:55.015+01:00For those of us missing ParkRun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://uk.runningheroes.com/en/challenges/details/20_07_12_RHUK_SundayRace12" imageanchor="1" rel="noopener" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="966" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBWOythAe9ekRK0PWW8VG2DKcJ9Erfq8YNXFOM31Fy1a5Kb6h7-bygTLWM4Bt0QiHX8b0znE3F46_UL_SMS5BQxz4jiy4R2r21ocF0tO0cJnkajtJJCb0TlNGgrwYwJv3s6Qpjljfmw/s320/Screenshot_20200712-145522%257E2.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
I suspect it's not the actual running we're missing; since many of us can just go out and run when the mood takes us so long as we are fortunate with our health and the COVID-19 restrictions in our particular part of the world allow us to do so. It's possibly not even being able to run in a group; since as much as I enjoy the social side, I tend to be a solitary runner.<br />
<br />
For me, what I actually miss is being able to have something to judge my performance against. Not my overall position on the weekly email (although that has its own value), but the arcane calculation that is the age adjusted performance and how it varies from run to run.<br />
<br />
Then I discovered that <a href="https://uk.runningheroes.com/en/" target="_blank"><i>Running Heroes</i></a> has a weekly 5k challenge. OK, so it's on a Sunday rather than a Saturday, but it gives you a leader board and age tables and all of those little things that turn a run into a "non-competitive" competition. It's not really the same, but it is nice to feel that you are part of group, doing something we all "enjoy" and providing something a little more than just comparing our own performance run after run.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="688" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi4SXQRN8RcR_arJOrrhHuZ-Bc_ehEo1HxnIZpHbuHG3MWyVpqXY1_LoVnJc4X0zYpaj8XPC-radu1-d8XzojnB6eSpV7oIYPwKbxTCwOjj4LvkfJb-HhZKrYSJdgavphEDcKuDt8Og/s640/Annotation+2020-07-13+121204.png" width="640" /></div>
<br />
If that kind of thing appeals, it might be worth checking it out while we're all waiting for the real thing to start again. If it's not your thing, then just keep getting out there and running anyway.<br />
<br />
Stay safe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5225388348" title="Lunchtime Run - Pencaitland 5k" width="465"></iframe><img alt="RunGraph" border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1303" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UopLb9trTRc79-rUngFBIrQMVdo8_90FkGpJPfBCytqqAr7_fECDKYeiAsQSkEAyiGV9aW9qXdY91-gFDC_2tsyO2A9zkFn3IHihJXCY1Kob2HHjsDHuqYgnkESF8m2jLs7kIdWqfQ/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<br />sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.9079865141255 -2.923259250919476655.905761514125494 -2.9283017509194766 55.9102115141255 -2.9182167509194765tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-67679925261803418602020-07-05T15:14:00.001+01:002020-07-05T15:16:55.123+01:009 Days, 5 Runs, 50k<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="4x10k Challenge Completed Badge" border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="656" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx6UbKn79kxhJv-nhaEq7UlBfCyJtCcCYd09elr53l_8dw8oizJ8eZpxq7QN14iCSDZGvu-UHs-xU2eHvM2L2d6md0ygz9REcW5QVg_M6L2DI5tOm2TI14nCHR95kYt7NNhcPARvqOw/s320/Capture2.JPG" width="320" /></div>
Actually, it was only meant to be 7 days, 4 runs and 40k, but, annoyingly, I got the start date of the challenge wrong and so the first 10k didn't actually count towards the challenge. I wasn't going to let that get in my way though, so today, with rather weary legs, and between the showers, I set off to complete the challenge and run the final 10k.<br />
<br />
Having had a quick recce earlier, the problematic riverside stretch that I ran on my first ever 10k turned out to be no longer submerged, so I decided to rerun <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2019/07/so-this-happened.html" target="_blank">that first 10k run</a> from 1 July 2019.<br />
<br />
So, despite it being decidedly squelchy in places and my poor trails shoes having had another 350km on them in the intervening year, the difference between then and now was just over 15 minutes.<br />
<br />
Now, I think, I'm going to give my legs a couple of days off while I work out my next challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe alt="Run Graph" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/5191662805" title="Afternoon Run - Pencaitland 10k" width="465"></iframe><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1181" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbLcoX0hA208ILnwPc_dwNpy5Ff-X_AgAf6EHrYTKiD3hPLjuIC6SYx6OASXTPr_a_0q1GnigAEDw3rqZuw4sZ9VjF4WlUZgUb1hK22AzqUBUjP9h_hnMoRQh3EM3UeoVd-6INSLWCw/s640/Capture2.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<br />sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.913706217296905 -2.897861433520749855.9114812172969 -2.90290393352075 55.915931217296908 -2.8928189335207497tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610776561327278497.post-57303024430906199522020-07-01T22:18:00.000+01:002020-07-01T22:18:28.105+01:00Another running anniversary<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeRxxH1NIaiQ5n09Be3MvEC6Qxpm2DKS_aaCITsLGavp-nfflKswj5fgaow_0nOCBap23J9EGTV3sEhYT2Ibb7XasX4v8kDElkgO3gXVCeSkhnhpJ3dKz7bpUbVch3Qx6tzGpetF2dA/s200/Anniversary.png" width="200" />.
</div>
On 1 July 2019, I ran my <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2019/07/so-this-happened.html" target="_blank">first ever non-stop 10k</a>. I qualify the "non-stop" bit because several weeks earlier, before I'd even completed Couch to 5k, I'd covered just over 10k <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2019/04/my-accidental-10k.html" target="_blank">refereeing a rugby 7s tournament</a>. It was stop start, spread over six 14 minute games, but I still include it in my distance totals. Anyway, I digress; 1 July was the day I completed <a href="https://healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k/posts/142564274/the-magic-plan-information-station-%E2%9C%94%EF%B8%8F%F0%9F%93%8D%F0%9F%97%82" target="_blank">Ju Ju's Magic 10k Plan</a> over on <a href="https://healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k" target="_blank">Health Unlocked's Bridge to 10k Forum</a>, so that's the day I'm counting. The time that evening was 1:19:36.<br />
<br />
Tonight, one year on and not including the rugby tournament mentioned above, I completed my 58<sup>th</sup> run of 10k or more. When you consider the that 4 of those 58 runs were half-marathon distance, I've actually completed the 10k distance 62 times in the last 12 months. Tonight's time was 1:04:51, which is a bit off my PB of 58:58, but that wasn't what I was aiming for tonight given the conditions underfoot following several days of rainfall including some spectacular thunderstorms were not exactly conducive to especially fast running, even if I had been trying to mark the occasion with something "special". The paths that last week were solidly bone dry, are now somewhat squelchy and waterlogged and the best you could possibly describe the going as was "soft".<br />
<br />
It was for this reason that, unlike my <a href="https://running.strongfuse.co.uk/2020/05/then-and-now.html" target="_blank">Couch to 5k anniversary run</a>, I didn't attempt a direct comparison tonight by running the route I took last year; the aforementioned rainfall having made some of the route I ran last year impassable. Suffice to say when you compare the time from that first run with tonight's attempt, and factoring in my current PB, I think it's fair to say that a decent amount of progress has been made.<br />
<br />
I'm still marvelling at the distances I can now run and the fact that just over a year on from when I was consolidating 5k, my typical distance that I run on most occasions is now 8-10k. I'm still not sure my legs will ever forgive me though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Run Graph" border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1184" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm3NwYviEOEB42Umapf5Er-tmGNRJknxT23jWZ60qh1Ibz0-J18TOVYeDC_YeMZjLVq8QA2cIz5kSZQs5vDpOZOTPG2BooroDiERgtAAgF61OecUfwqSWSov3Er-Fu-i2sEF0espARA/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<br />sTrongFusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311890735041346779noreply@blogger.com0Pencaitland, Tranent EH34, UK55.910974078555007 -2.8921508789062555.908749078555005 -2.89719337890625 55.91319907855501 -2.88710837890625