Day 620

HA! Just read last New Year's Eve blog entry and there's more than a little bit of it that still holds true!

In some ways I have come so far...  Barnardo's did accept me for a charity place, the fabric did come out of the cupboard and get fashioned into bags - which sold!  I made it round my first half marathon and a further two, and I'm finishing 2015 with a further 600 training miles under my belt and scarily 116 days to go!

Less impressive was the paragraph about my hip, knee and ankle pain which I was going to sort by paying heed to the advice I'd been given!  Could have written it today, which is a little sobering and I think has confirmed my decision that getting myself marathon fit is going to be my only goal come the start of the next 100 Day Challenge tomorrow.

I had such grandiose plans to clean and tidy and sort my life out so that I finish the marathon and use it as a spring board into the new me, not going to be much of a arrival if I don't finish, and even less of one if I can't start!

So.... looks like it's the same resolution as last year - more focussed, less stressed and take it one run at a time, apart from tomorrow when we're running two - but with the addition of GET IN THE GYM AND GET ON WITH IT!

London -115
Total Distance covered     1046.1 miles

Day 619

1.  My sister has gone home again :(

2.  But it did give Al and I the opportunity to sit on the sofa and binge watch 'The Bridge'.

3.  It wasn't how we'd planned on spending the day, but it was just what we both needed.

4.  H's birthday tomorrow....

5.  Tree down as quickly as it went up, and Christmas is over for another year!

London -116
Total Distance covered     1046.1 miles

Day 618

1.  If yesterday's run with my sister and niece was a rare opportunity it was nothing compared to the chance to go into Leeds with them and be ladies who lunched...

2.  and shopped!

3.  I have been thoroughly spoiled by my sister - thank you!

4.  That's it! No talk of running, no thinking about running, no visiting running shops....

5.  Although come to think of it, I did glance in the direction of the Sketchers shop and dream of some new trainers that I love as much as my previous pair!  Once an addict always an addict!

London -117
Total Distance covered     1046.1 miles

Day 617

1.  Keen to get back into her marathon training my sister suggested a four mile outing this morning, with her and my niece.

2.  Keen not to disappoint and very much wanting to make the most of a rare opportunity I agreed despite my leg really not being in the best of form.

3.  Very glad that we went.  It wasn't easy but I took the opportunity to try and see if I could adopt a different running style that would alleviate some of the issues I'm having with my IT band.

4.  Not sure that I really got it sussed but I didn't have to stop which was the main thing, it also hasn't seized up completely so I'm hopeful that even though it isn't great it isn't as bad as it has been before!

5.  Under the circumstances it might have been prudent to withdraw from the 'sprint to the finish' race but never one to turn down the opportunity for some healthy competition off we went.  Running along side my niece to begin with, I then felt how people competing against Mo Farah must feel when he just ups the anti and accelerates away from them! Am not even going to suggest that if my leg had been better I'd have been in with a chance!

London -118
Distance covered                     4 miles
Total Distance covered     1046.1 miles

Day 616

1.  Gorgeous morning for a run - all eleven miles of it :)

2.  Made even better by the company of fellow parkrunner! 

3.  My right leg wasn't quite as enamoured with the time or distance and really started to complain around the nine mile mark. A bit of side stepping and I managed to keep it moving for the final two miles but I have no idea how I ever run 26!

4.  But hey seventeen weeks to get to a point where I HAVE!

5.  My sister and family are here! Lovely evening en famille xx

London -119
Distance covered                 11.2 miles
Total Distance covered     1042.1 miles

Day 615

1.  Might be Boxing Day but it's Saturday which can only mean one thing... parkrun!

2.  Very very wet. Very very glad I'd already offered to volunteer.

3.  I love it. Even in the  pouring rain. I love the different perspective it gives you.  If my training goes according to plan I'm hoping for the opportunity to do it more regularly on the run up to the marathon.

4.  I say if, because my right leg really isn't right and it's starting to play on my mind.  Can't help but feel like I've a bit too much riding on this and I really don't want to be injured, not least because I've the small matter of eleven miles to run in the morning.

5.  Haven't had much chance to read but on first glances it would appear my new tidying book is suggesting a complete blitz - I would have run for poncho cover but the wool is going back (let's just say there was a reason it was in the sale! ).

London -120
Total Distance covered     1030.9 miles

Day 614

1.  Not overly impressed with my wish to have all five of us at parkrun this morning,  C would have much rather stayed in his bed. But he came and he ran and he made his mother happy.

2. Not having run in a while we all stuck together and ran with him - until the last when H beat Al (and Dougal) in a sprint for the finish - way to go H! (Sorry Al). 

3.  My mum (and she may not be alone) thinks we're mad for running on Christmas morning, Al did point out that some people go for a swim in the sea or Serpentine - so we're not as mad as some.

4.  C was given the option of switching to this activity next year if he really hates running so much.  

5.  I am hoping against hope that he doesn't call my bluff! 

Merry Christmas!

London -121
Distance covered                    3.1 miles
Total Distance covered     1030.9 miles