
Day 9 RED January
It was a chilly evening – I was wrapped up well for a few quick miles on the streets of Bourne.
Just for general wonderings…

Day 9 RED January
It was a chilly evening – I was wrapped up well for a few quick miles on the streets of Bourne.

Day 7 RED January
After not running at all in December (and barely in November) because of the niggle in the calf, this RED January is a godsend. It means I can very slowly increase distance and speed.
So today I was at the gym – 4 miles on the treadmill – slowly increasing the speed of each mile.
I’m hoping that by the end of January I might be somewhere need where I was about 3 months ago so that I can start building up the mileage and getting back to some faster parkruns.
RED January stats:
I’ve got quite a list of resolutions to try and get done in 2019. Although I’m not sure I like the idea of the word ‘resolution’, it sounds like a lot of pressure. But then I looked up its definition.

I like the sound of making a ‘firm decision’ to do something. That sounds like a lot less pressure. Some of my firm decisions for 2019 are a continuation of 2018, maybe they just need a bit more effort and focus. So, here we go, my list of firm decisions for 2019:








That’s about it. I have got a few more things I’d like to try and do in 2019, but I think that’s for another day. That is probably quite enough, and probably too much already.
Wish me luck.
Juneathon Day 29
We reach what is the penultimate day of Juneathon and this is the first run that actually felt like a Juneathon run. Rushed home from work, collected the dog and we hit the trails. It was hot and sweaty. In the past I have always remembered Juneathon as being exactly like this – lots of runs in the sun. However, this is the first of its kind this year.
The plan was to do about 5 miles at a reasonable pace – I'm starting to test Jeff* a bit more – it went well, a bit achy, but overall a success. Although, the dog probably disagreed with me – he struggled. I think the days of him joining me on my runs has well and truly gone. I understand it was pretty warm this evening but that was no excuse for the pace he was going. I had to wait for him on numerous occasions. And when I told him to get a move on, did he listen? Did he hell! If anything he started going slower.
Anyway, when we returned home I gave him a good talking to. This resulted in him sitting in the corner of the garden with the hump and ignoring me all night.

* If you don't understand what this means then you are lucky enough not to find yourself reading the nonsense that is contained on this blog too often – I will not put you through the pain of an explanation.
Today was one of those days that are just full up with stuff.
Firstly, #Juneathon day 27 was a Parkrun. Peterborough Parkrun. But more importantly, Helen's first ever Parkrun. It was a lovely morning, the sun was shining, in fact it was a very warm 5k. Good start to the day.
That was followed by a trip to buy some plants for the garden. Which was inevitably followed by actually planting the plants. That done it was BBQ time…

It was a really enjoyable afternoon/evening, plenty of food and beer. Although the majority of it was spent deciding whether or not we would actually continue with the planned holiday to Tunisia! I'm sure there will be more to come on the subject in the coming weeks!
I think you are all more than aware of the problems I've been having with Jeff*. It has however, reached new depths. I have 'The Fear'.
Today when I got in from work I went straight out to test Jeff. Juneathon day 24. The plan was to do 3 or so miles at a reasonable pace to see how likely it was that I make an appearance at Clumber Park in Nottingham for the 'Festival of Trail' half-marathon. During the last six weeks my runs have consisted of very light jogging, or a trip to the gym for some cross-training. I have, in essence, been trying to avoid aggravating Jeff. The only problem is that Jeff is in my head, he has got me questioning my running ability. He has given me 'The Fear'.
The fear that Jeff will blow-up at any stage and cause me real issues.
The fear that I can't actually run very far – even today's 3-miler seemed harder than in the past – I felt like I had run a marathon.
The fear that maybe it's the trainers that are the problem and that I need new ones.
The fear that my running form has something to do with my problems with Jeff.
The fear that I'll wake in the morning unable to walk.
Having said all that, at the end of the run Jeff felt no worse than after a gentle jog. I can definitely feel it, an ache, although whether I just need to exercise it a bit more I'm not sure. I've had six weeks off any fast running, six weeks off anywhere near long mileage, it's time to get back in the game.
I haven't run the route I did today for weeks, it's got slightly overgrown….
And my entry for Project365 #175 I hear you say? Well, you don't have to venture far into the English literary world until you trip over some author harping on about the fields of wheat…
Field of wheat, so full and fair,
Shining, with thy sunny hair,
Lightly waving either way,
Graceful as the breezes play.
I think this is what they are on about….

* You are fed-up of hearing about my calf muscle, I am fed-up talking about my calf muscle. So I'll call it Jeff from now on.