It is half past five, I have one trainer on and one in my hand, and it is already dark outside. Not dusky. Proper dark, the kind where the streetlights have that orange fuzz around them and the neighbour’s car looks like a shape rather than a car. The clocks go back this weekend, which means this is about to be every evening until about March. So I thought I would write down how I actually get through it, partly for anyone else staring at the door right now, and partly for me, because I will need reminding by about the second week of November. It has also been a while since I posted anything. The summer happened, the kids went back to school, and the blog sat here quietly while I got on with things. Hello again 🙂 The first dark run is the worst one Last winter the first run after the clocks changed felt like a completely different sport. Same legs, same route, but everything...

I am writing this with all the windows open and a fan pointed directly at my face, so if this reads a little scattered, that is why. Britain does not do heat well. We complain about the rain for eleven months of the year and then the sun properly shows up and everyone just melts on the pavement like we have never seen it before. Me included. The Run I Should Not Have Done I will start with the mistake, because it is the funniest bit. Last week I went out for my usual afternoon loop without really thinking about it. Same time I always go, same route, same everything. Except it was properly hot by then, and about ten minutes in I realised I had made a genuine error. I was red in the face, my legs felt like they belonged to someone else, and Toby, bless him, kept stopping in every scrap of shade he could find and looking at me like I had personally let him down. He was right to look at me...

I’m standing at the kitchen window with a cup of tea going cold in my hand, watching the rain come down in that grey, relentless British way. The kids are sprawled on the sofa behind me, the telly is on, and it would be so, so easy to just say “not today.” Toby does not agree. He is sitting by the back door giving me that look. You know the one. The Excuse That Kept Growing For a long time, the weather was my get-out clause. And honestly, it is a brilliant one if you live in England. It is almost always raining, or about to rain, or recovering from rain. So I used it constantly. The trouble is a skipped day turns into a skipped week before you even notice. You tell yourself you will go tomorrow, when it is nicer. Tomorrow comes and it is still drizzly, so you wait again. Next thing you know, two weeks have gone by and your trainers are still perfectly clean and dry by...

2019 will be stronger year Last year, my word for the year was Joy. I tried to be Joyful of and in everything. I know I didn’t succeed as much as I would have liked, but that’s ok! My goal was to strive to be Joyful! And I’m pretty sure I at least succeeded in that! This year I’ve picked my word to be Strong 🙂 I want to become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually! I am already planning on doing more cross-training, which will hopefully make me stronger physically! I will also be starting my running training back up and just doing my own plan of trying to increase my mileage each week! I have a few races in mind and need to become half ready asap. I will have to become Strong to leave my child on a daily basis to go to a new job! I will start a job as a dental hygienist this month! I am really excited about this! I will also have to be Strong to get my...

I cannot believe that it is almost Christmas: that 2018 is almost over… This year did not turn out how I anticipated at the fitness/weight loss game. I just comprehended that if I kept up this running and these workouts, the weight would finally melt off. And I would finally be down at least a size or 2 and have something to show for it. Instead, I’m heavier, running less (for various reasons), and still refuse to buy new clothes. I just know that eventually, I will lose that weight. I want to say that 2019 will be the year! I will run more! Lift more weights! Do more crosstraining! Eat less of whatever it is that is keeping me from losing weight. Eat more of whatever makes me more healthy. But I’m afraid I have to say: I failed in 2018. I did not run my half marathons. I did not run 800 miles as I had planned. I barely made it to 500. Instead, I didn’t train as...

As I said in my last post, I ran 5 miles without stopping at my new pace, and that I’ve run several 3 milers. And that I have a problem with keeping my running routine…   These 3 milers have renewed my love of running once again. It seems like every time I don’t find time to run for a week or so, the next run just renews my love of it and makes me miss it, even more, when I don’t do it!   Those longer runs, 5 miles, however, hurt my body. My hips in particular. I can’t run for almost a week after that, because of the pain of just walking. I decided that my body just can’t handle 5 miles right now. I need to slow down and stop pushing myself as hard.   That brings me to my 3-mile runs!   That distance is just right for me, not too long, not too short. I have gotten a bit faster with my 3 miles as well.   That makes me more...

As I mentioned in a post last year, when I started running I really didn’t want to spend any money. I thought I could get by with whatever workout gear I could scrounge up. Speaking of running clothes, I hope that my extra weight would finally melt off when I continue running. And I would finally be down at least a size or two and have something to show for it. So far I still refuse to buy new clothes. But on the other hand, I haven’t refused myself to buy running gear. Maybe it’s one way to motivate myself to run more when I have new running gear on.   Better option to carry a phone I am not a professional runner, just a passionate runner looking for a better option to carry my phone while on the go. I like to listen to music and podcasts when I’m running, so my first acquisition was a basic armband to carry my phone. But it couldn’t fit my keys, and it was too bulky...

Since the last time I posted, I ran 5 miles without stopping at my new pace: and have run several 3 milers. 3 mile runs are great. I love this distance, it’s not too long, not too short. Just right. Especially for someone with kids at home. I am trying to make 3 miles my running routine and habit.   Running is a superb way to stay fit, stay healthier and build new relationships with different runners. Running is a great sport which never bores you. But to stay fit, you have to have some kind of exercise routine. And that’s the part where I’m constantly lacking.     Running is among the few sporting activities that don’t require a lot of gear. Proper shoes, and something to carry your phone with you, and you are good to go. If you are running in the night, then something to make yourself visible. That’s what made me start running. It was so easy to start.  ...

The week had a slow start after a weekend with too less sleep. And the week wasn’t what I hoped it would be running wise. But it is a case in point of a normal week, and a great reminder, that we tend to overestimate our competence. It was a constant battle between running, some social engagements and the summer heat. Social responsibilities are a good battle to fight, weather not so much. But I still got in some good workouts though. Here’s how one typical exercise week went! I had a hard time increasing my mileage. It’s the summer and the heat, which is all true, but it does tend to concern you if it goes on for months. So anyway, I’m gradually increasing the mileage. Monday Rest day I had plans to go trail running after work, but it was so hot, that it was better to stay inside in the AC. Mother nature won that one and it wouldn’t be the last time this week. That’s the glory...