The forecast was for a lot of rain today. So last night I had pretty much already planned on a treadmill run to tick off day five.

It was raining when I woke up so was on the treadmill before 8am.

4 miles. Boom.

Followed by Marmite on toast. It doesn’t get much better: run done and Marmite eaten.

But wait, also bagged me another Strava badge!!

Stats:

Day 1. 3.1 miles

Day 2. 3.8 miles

Day 3. 3.1 miles

Day 4. 3.5 miles

Day 5. 4 miles

Juneathon Total = 17.5 miles

Four days in already. The first Saturday of Juneathon – Parkrun day – but not today.

It was an early run around the village, a bit blowy, but done and dusted nice and early.

This morning I was accompanied by Romesh Ranganathan and his podcast: For the Love of Hip Hop.

I don’t mind a bit of the old hip hops – been getting into it more recently. So after the run a got some Run DMC spinning.

It was 3.5 miles in total, I even managed to bag a couple more badges from Strava – I love pressing the ‘join challenge’ button!

Stats:

Day 1. 3.1 miles

Day 2. 3.8 miles

Day 3. 3.1 miles

Day 4. 3.5 miles

Juneathon Total = 13.5 miles

Lovely morning run in the sun. 3.1 miles.

Loose cow on the road. No photo. Didn’t have phone.

Stats:

Day 1. 3.1 miles.

Day 2. 3.8 miles.

Day 3. 3.1 miles.

Juneathon Total: 10 miles

Day 2 of Juneathon coincides with the beginning of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. So the day started with trying to remember past jubilees.

The best I could do was a vague memory of the silver jubilee in 1977 at Bermondsey, on and around Albion Street and Rotherhithe Library. This included the memory of a Tommy Steele statue, ‘The Bermondsey Boy’ – stolen in 1998, its whereabouts are still unknown.

The actual run was a lovely late morning run including a run around the River Centre.

Bagged a couple of Strava badges.

The afternoon was spent in a garden celebrating Queenie. Nice.

The stats:

Day 1. 3.1 miles.

Day 2. 3.8 miles.

Juneathon Total = 6.9 miles

It’s June. Which can mean only one thing: Juneathon. The annual run (or do some kind of exercise) every day, and then blog about it.

This year the plan is to run at least 5km every day, none of this cycling, gym sessions, or long walks. I’m hardcore.

So today…

An afternoon 5km loop around the village. After all the rain throughout the day it ended up as a lovely afternoon in the sun.

Also, Garmin awarded me with a badge. Apparently it’s Global Running Day! Boom!

The Stats:

Day 1 – 3.1 miles

‘Twas the night before Juneathon, when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The shorts, top and socks, were set out with care,

In preparation that Juneathon would soon be here.

The participants were nestled all snug in their beds,

While completion of Juneathon danced in their heads,

With Garmin on the side and the consideration of a cap,

With 30 days to run we’d settled for a nap.

When out on the drive there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I went with a crash,

Tore open the curtains and flew in a flash,

The moon on the breast of the newly damp street,

Gave a lustre of midday and a strange smell of feet.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a kitted out ghost who did bring me to fear.

Wearing a pair of Nike trainers I knew he’d be quick,

I thought to myself it looks a bit like St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his legs they did move,

And he whistled and shouted, ‘I have nothing to prove!’

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,

This crazy ghost thing was acting the fool.

And then, on the roof, a noise I didn’t like,

The prancing and pawing of each little Nike.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney this weird thing came with a bound.

He was dressed in Adidas, from his head to his foot,

And his kit were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, he was pissed-up on sherry!

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, because he’d ate too much jelly.

He was chubby and plump, not a running elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Fifteen burpees, then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his feet and ran off with a whistle,

And away he did sprint like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he ran through the street-

‘Juneathon, it’s difficult – get out the Deep Heat!’