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)

Another reasonably early run today. Got a busy day ahead: the new Dylan movie followed by a family meal.

The run therefore was a pretty regular 3+ mile loop of the village, including a little detour to the river centre.

30 mins: 3.44 miles. Legs felt very heavy this morning, so it was a gentle little run.

The Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, was very good. In fact, out of all the movies we watched in 2024, this beat them all. Would definitely recommend.

Totals:

Runs = 17

Mileage = 66.19

Swims = 1 (600m)

Friday. Had to shoot into Norwich at the end of the day, so it was another of those quicker 3-milers when I finally got in.

Also, bagged myself a Strava badge. 100k already this month.

Strava’s Athlete Intelligence definitely appeared happier with me:

Quick 3.1 mile run with a speedy pace, beating your 30-day average and hitting your fastest pace in the last week.

Totals:

Runs = 16

Mileage = 62.75

Swims = 1 (600m)

16 days down. 15 to go.

On Thursdays after school I’d normally go swimming, but due to one thing and another, there wasn’t enough of us to ensure safety, so it was home and a run.

I was able to get out pretty early, it was still light.

I was out for 50 mins so it was dark by the time I completed the loop of the village.

Strava’s Athlete Intelligence was a bit happier with me today:

Solid 5.6 mile run with a faster pace than recent averages, hitting endurance zones and nabbing two segment achievements.

Totals:

Runs = 15

Mileage = 59.65

Swims = 1 (600m)

It’s Wednesday, which means laps of the school field.

Only managed 6 laps tonight. It’s been a couple of long days and I wasn’t really feeling it.

Gentle run. 3.22 miles.

I don’t think Strava’s Athlete Intelligence was particularly happy with my pace:

Consistent pace around 9.45/mi, slightly slower than recent runs.

Totals:

Runs = 14

Mileage = 54.04

Swims 1 (600m)