Got in from school, had a quick coffee, got changed and was pounding the streets before 5pm.

Now, when I run locally, I normally stick to one side of the village. Rarely do I run on the dark side. But tonight was one of those nights.

Strange things happen on the dark side. The normal rules don’t apply. Roads begin and end in different places dependent on the time and day. Houses which you think are fixed in place, move.

But I braved it.

I ran around, wasn’t entirely sure where I was or where I was heading. Strava seems to think I completed a lap. It didn’t feel like it.

4.28 miles.

Strava Intelligence Athlete had this to say:

Solid Janathon run with a personal record on ‘Down by the Marshes’ segment and a strong pace slightly faster than your 30-day average.

Totals:

Runs = 23

Mileage = 89.31

Swims = 1 (600m)

Was later home than usual, school trip to the theatre to see An Inspector Calls.

Very successful trip: students behaved, timings perfect and a good show.

All this meant I was slightly later home, together with it being a pretty miserable and drizzly night, I took to the treadmill.

4.28 miles listening to some Bob Dylan.

Totals:

Runs = 22

Mileage = 85.03

Swims = 1 (600m)

So after a couple of 3-milers to start the week, I made it a hat-trick of 3-milers with six laps of the school field at the end of the day.

Was initially planning on at least 8 laps, but the grass was wet and I found the whole thing quite hard work. Legs were very tired at the end of it.

Totals:

Runs = 21

Mileage = 80.75

Swims = 1 (600m)

It was going to be a busy day, parents’ evening at the end of the day, plus the mighty Charlton on Sky Sports+. So I decided on the early treadmill run to get it done.

3.13 miles. 33 mins.

Totals:

Runs = 20

Mileage = 77.51

Swims = 1 (600m)

It’s Blue Monday today, apparently the ‘most depressing day of the year’. But we all know that you can feel low anytime – catching up with someone over a cuppa is a great way to check in with someone. So think of today as Brew Monday.

I slotted in a little 3-miler in between getting in from work and the darkness arriving.

Totals:

Runs = 19

Mileage = 74.38

Swims = 1 (600m)

Sunday morning run. It was a grey one.

The plan was a 5-miler. Plan completed. 5.13 miles. It was a lovely run listening to Running Commentary podcast.

Strava’s Athlete Intelligence had this to say:

Solid run with two segment PRs, maintaining a consistent pace above your 30-day average and hitting a longer-than-typical distance.

Totals:

Runs = 18

Mileage = 71.32

Swims = 1 (600m)