Blog Post Nineteen
16th - 19th July
July 17, 2020, 08:02 PM
5 mile easy run
Nice easy run to finish the week - lovely and quiet thanks to pubs being open but remarkably quiet for the first Friday back able to drink in wales. Guess the weather has something to do with that. The fair is open so looking more normal. Unfortunately with the tourists has come the litter :( Loving the artwork by local schools on the way. It’s been a long week and I’m tired, so rubbish pace but it’s the distance that counts.
TimeDistanceElevation1h 2m5.22 mi120.08 ft
July 18, 2020, 09:07 AM
Morning Run
TimeDistanceElevation38m 34s3.21 mi38.06 ft
18th July
So today I did something that scared me.
During lockdown I joined an online running club, Fordy Runs, for the chat and community.
Today I went and ran with a group of the guys, very socially distanced obviously (2 minutes rather than 2m was a very apt phrase!!).
I was scared for three reasons - being out and seeing people having been in a very small town and group of people for lockdown and shielding, as even though we can now go and meet others outside to exercise if shielding I haven’t done it. Another worry was meeting new people as it’s something I find hard and always have done, and running with others as I’m slow, worried I might not be able to keep up, fall over etc. But I really enjoyed it. Everyone was so encouraging, and it was so good to meet new people. I am so glad I went.
Can’t wait to go again. Huge thanks to Paul Scanlon for organising, leading, encouraging me to come, making me feel so safe, and to all of the guys for being so welcoming and encouraging.
Time to rest now before my long run tomorrow. I say rest: I mean clean the house as it’s a mess, sort out the remains of the milk lake that the teenager caused yesterday (washing the floor with 6 pints of milk really isn’t advised particularly when you then leave it to fix when you get back from work), also sort out the burnt offerings glued inside the toaster said teenager produced this morning, and do some actual work!! But it’s all good to keep me on my toes, I would hate life to be boring.
If anyone would like to sponsor me for the London Marathon I would be very grateful, I’m running for the fantastic Royal Free Charity , or if you want a laugh then follow my rather random training progress towards it as I post on my JustGiving page (maybe one day I will do a blog of my various running and life fails!).
July 19, 2020, 10:45 AM
Sunday long run
Long and the hardest so far. Ran out of energy at mile 1, had to change tops as fell into a puddle, but at the end I met my sister, had a long awaited cuddle from Elsie and held baby George for the first time since he was born 4.5 months ago. He is adorable. Made my day/week/month/year.
TimeDistanceElevation2h 58m15.01 mi677.81 ft
What a lovely but tiring day. Ran 15 miles, where I ran out of energy at Mile 1, so I am amazed I made it. I’ve heard of people “hitting the wall” but please tell me my wall isn’t to be found at mile 1?!! Was so tempted to turn round and stop but meant my later plans wouldn’t work if I did so was excellent motivation!! For once I remembered to run in sunglasses - apparently the UV light causes cataracts.
I did have to run via the house to change too after I fell over into a muddy puddle (clumsy as ever) but resisted the urge to stop and kept going. But I’m glad I did as managed my quickest half marathon distance to date, clearly the determination to get it over and done with today!
But a lovely surprise where I met my sister and after sufficient disinfecting I had my first cuddle with baby George, what a gorgeous little monster he is now. He is going to be a really big boy and so strong. Of course I also had a cuddle with Elsie who I have missed so much. Love them both more than words can explain.
Having run to Bridgend, I made it to the socially distanced trip to the beach to watch Vertigo Trampoline club do a conditioning session and basically catch up/plan gin based socials with all my friends there. I have missed seeing you all face to face so much. You have been the most amazing support over lockdown, and it sounds awful but I felt so much better hearing that we have all had similar experiences and issues, and dealt with them/coped in similar ways. I can’t wait to meet up again.
I’m not sure if it counts as a good thing, but I made it home in time to clean house, mow the lawns and find my washing had dried as it hadn’t rained. The only issue is it seems we have return of the flying ants MK 2. So squashed a few of those who didn’t get out the way of my lawnmower!!
Now to sit down with the teenager, eat crap food, watch some bad films whilst catching up on paperwork before an early bed. I’m cooking as I really can’t face cleaning/repairing the kitchen/house again tonight!!
Such a good day after what was a really down week. I’m aching now, but am so glad I forced myself on today, as if I hadn’t run I wouldn’t have made the beach. So I’m actually really proud of myself as did feel really rubbish.
More gratuitous scenery and garden pictures now follow. Apologies. But sadly I like them!!
So on to another week. I hope every had a lovely weekend and has a good week. If anyone would like to support Royal Free Charity that I am running for and donate please use the following link