I had a good week this week with a mixture of running and volunteering / officiating, day time and dark runs.
Monday – As I hadn’t run at the weekend due to having my Track and Field officials course, I could run on Monday, however I was still pretty tired from the course and a lot of hard work. I met up with Jenny and we ran down to Cannon Hill Park, where we met this amazing dog.
Back up to where I meet Jenny and a brisk trot home again as I’d left it a bit late for lunch!
6.5 miles, 12:27 mins per mile
Wednesday – Hard version of Dave’s yoga class with Jenny. Oof. I managed to do ALL the vinyasas between positions but my, my pecs and back knew about it the next day.
Thursday – Our lovely friend Bernice, who moved away to Worcestershire (and who I’m running my ultra with next year) was in Birmingham for a course so we got a bevy of Sedate Ladies together for an early evening run. Bernice, Trudie and Mary Ellen came to my house and we ran up to where I usually meet Jenny.
We did a loop the opposite way from where I usually go with Jenny and Trudie said goodbye and went to visit her mom. We dropped Jenny back off at the end of the road she lives down and carried on, getting 7.5 miles in for me, Mary Ellen and Bernice. Full view of my lit-up, flouro and reflective self from the back (thanks, Bernice!).
And here’s me and Bernice at the end – I’m rocking another buff with my cap, what a brill idea.
7.5 miles, 12:38 mins per mile
Friday – Managed to fit in Claire’s easier class after cleaning the house and amidst much work.
Saturday – I was supposed to run in the morning but I woke up So.Tired and I didn’t want to: when I don’t want to run there’s usually a good reason, so I decided I could live with “only” getting to 21 miles again this week and rested up. Put on my other running hat and was one of our club’s official officials at the cross-country league (men’s) in Clopton, near Stratford. We have to submit x number of officials to help with tasks as part of being in the league.
I was working with a chap from Tamworth who was injured – we were judge recorders, writing down the numbers of the male runners as they came over the finish line and through the funnel. All fine as the rugged terrain and three-lap course kept them reasonably spaced out, and I managed to capture this nice rural view.
I walked 2.6 miles as part of this, as we had to part in Stratford town centre and walk up, plus all the wandering around.
Sunday – A busy day. My husband went off on his bird watching trip (all the way to Essex) so I got up with him at 5 and was ready to run at 7.30 am. I did 2 miles quite briskly as got worried I was going to miss Ruth, and met her at 8 at my house (I took the opportunity to post my gloves (too warm!) and tabard/lights (the sun had risen) then we set off on 4.6 miles of jeffing (walk run strategy). She was doing a virtual half-marathon (very posh, with a number sent out in the post) you could do any time in December, I think, called Santa’s Little Helper – so I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of her outside the first heavily Christmas decorated house we’ve seen.
We got back to mine for 9 reading to hand the Ruth Baton on to Trudie for the end of her run.
I carried on for the 0.4 miles to round up my run to 7, having a bit of a sprint for the last bit (mainly because I had a very tight turnaround coming up!).
I got showered and changed and into my Christmas running leggings (bought at great expense last year and dragged out for runs, Christmas meals, and volunteering to get the value – I did add a dress so I wasn’t displaying my bum to the world) and walked the mile or so down to the Rugby Club for the Jingle Bell Jog in aid of St Mary’s Hospice. Our running club traditionally supplies the marshals for the course every year. Thank goodness I ran into Sushma walking down – I was feeling decidedly hungry after forgetting to grab a banana on my way to the venue, but she, being a super-mom, had some Belvita biscuits in her bag, hooray! Paul (congratulations on getting your Level 1 Endurance Licence!) got some pics of me without the Grinch and then …
(muted hooray – he was VERY lively) with the Grinch. All well: Christmas fun and all that …
Then we supported however many Santas it was to get round the 2.5k or 5 k course – I was near the end this time. It was good fun cheering people on and I saw a few familiar faces.
7 miles at 12:08 mins per mile.
I was a bit upset to just get to 21 again this week as it feels I can’t get past that. But I’ve been so busy and I did get in my yoga and those miles, and 30 squats 5/7 days and stretching 5/7 days so I’ll call that a win.
Miles this week: 21
Progress towards 1,000 miles in the year: 972
I take part in the Weekly Wrap run by two wonderful running women and joined by lots of other inspirational women. Wendy’s weekly wrap is here and Holly’s is here.
Dec 02, 2018 @ 21:09:05
Wow! That Christmas house is amazing!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:46:26
I know! There’s usually a few down that road but this stood out as it’s the first.
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Dec 02, 2018 @ 21:37:22
You’re doing fabulous on your mileage goal! Did you friend like her virtual race? I’ve thought about doing one but haven’t yet
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:47:27
Thank you! Yes, she really enjoyed it, I’m not sure what the process was although we had to print her number then I think she had to prove it all on their Facebook page. She’s been trying to do some kind of official half every month but it’s good not to keep having to go somewhere to do them!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 14:51:48
Hmm that seems doable! They don’t have a lot of races around me so I was looking into this as I’m thinking one half per season would be right for me.
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Dec 02, 2018 @ 22:54:48
Whew! I get tired just reading about your week! Love the Grinch picture! 🙂
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:48:12
Ha – he was so annoying! Up goes his leg, arrgh. Those bits of my week were great, the work was what tired me out!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 00:10:02
Wow! What a busy week for you. I have no clue how you get it all done – you’re a rockstar!
I love your photo with the Grinch, LOL
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:49:14
Ah thank you. It helps that I work for myself from a home office so can be a bit flexible although there was a LOT of work around this (more than I normally like). Oh gosh the Grinch, hm.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 00:27:52
oh that dog is so beautiful! I can imagine the grooming must be a lot of work though 🙂
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:50:02
I think it was an afghan hound. The owner was quite reticent when we asked – Jenny asked if I could take the picture as I was being reticent about doing so so not much conversation going on. I like that I caught the park in it too.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 00:28:29
Such great pics! I love the one of you with the Grinch 😉 And those festive tights are cute!!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:50:43
I thought you’d like my tights! Although they’re running tights I do usually wear them to our book group Christmas meal, too …
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 00:48:08
The Grinch is a little frisky! Not sure I’d like that either….lol. I usually only get around 20-25 miles per week, so I’d be ok with it. But I have no mileage goals. I used to try to hit at least 100miles per month. I had to let that go. It doesn’t mean I like it.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:52:06
I have another pic where I am REALLY not amused as it went on a little too long!! I’m only worrying about the distance because our training thing for the ultra says she wants us running 25 miles a week for the two months before we start the plan. But a) I’ve been doing 20-25 miles a week since May and b) we are NOT going to be running 50 miles a week i.e. we won’t follow the plan completely. I would break!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 01:30:03
Super cute Christmas tights! You had a busy week for sure. You are so close to your 1000 mile goal
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:52:50
I’m so excited about the 1000 as the previous longest I’ve done is 796 but it really hasn’t felt like a massive effort.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 02:18:05
Cute Christmas leggings. I have a pair that I will have a to wear for my Santa race this weekend! Fun photo of you and the Grinch!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:53:18
I think it’s good to have one pair and I got some great comments from the runners.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 03:14:27
You do so much volunteering – you put me to shame. As does that house. Wow on the decorations.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:54:23
Think of their electric bill! Running volunteering is about the only volunteering I do now (I used to help at a social media surgery but the local one closed down) and the officiating is sort of my other hobby, too. I don’t mean to make anyone feel put to shame, though, and I do enjoy it.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 03:34:42
That house!
I love your Christmas leggings.
We have some virtual races here that mail bibs. I don’t find the $ worth it so I’ll occasionally do a print at home or go without
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 06:55:49
This one Ruth got sent the number by email to print out which seemed a good way to do it. She’s trying to do one official half a month for a year to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research as her Dad sadly passed away from the condition last year, so that justifies race fees etc – she’s raised loads and I’m so proud of her.
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 16:49:58
Oh what a great tie/reason to be healthy. Is she collecting donations? US/UK can be a pain, but happy to donate if she is
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 17:05:42
She is, I’ve sent you the link. Thank you so much. Having this to work on has really moved her running up a notch and I’ve been very proud to accompany her on many of her unofficial half adventures!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 12:31:32
What a beautiful dog! Do you know the breed? Very cute Christmas leggings but I must say the Grinch looks freaky. I prefer him to be a cartoon only. LOL. 21 miles is nothing to be sad about! I think you’ve got a great base going into your training. Thanks for linking!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 12:33:42
I think it was an Afghan Hound. So pretty but quite shy. And yes, the Grinch was not my most favourite person there, I have to say! I am happy with the 21 under the circs but I’ve got fixated on the ultra book saying 25 a week. However, I’m also probably not going to do the 50 miles weeks the book threatens, I will fall apart if I try to do that, so … I’m already thinking of July-August just RESTING!!!
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Dec 03, 2018 @ 23:08:07
You have broken the spell and I have left Facebook to admire your tights! Very snazzy. Perfect for all Christmas events.
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Dec 04, 2018 @ 13:15:37
Glad you found them and liked them!
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Dec 04, 2018 @ 11:40:36
Listening to your body is so much more important than hitting mileage. Listen to your body and you will get past where you’re at now. Plus factor in the busy time of year!
Love your Christmas outfit for volunteering. 🙂
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Dec 04, 2018 @ 13:17:26
Ha yes, getting the use out of those leggings! And yes indeed. Although it’s not a particularly more busy time of year for me – happily or unhappily – just a family Christmas day, running club’s awards ceremony and my book group Christmas meal and that one santa race extra, really. But I was tired from work, mainly and that’s just an unfortunate combo of things getting delayed then all coming in at the same time.
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Dec 04, 2018 @ 18:54:33
It never rains but it pours, eh? I hope it settles down for you for the holidays!
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