End of year report

Date: Monday, December 31, 2018

Distance: 10.27 miles/16.52 km 

Listened to: My old running playlist from a million years ago when I was trying to reach 5 km (AKA older angry, break-up music!)

I have been running for a year. I signed up for the Bristol 10 km in January and appear to have been ever running since.

At the start of 2018, I was fearful I would not make the distance of the race. Now, 10 km is an average run for me and most of the ‘hills’ I dreaded, I can manage in my own hobblesome (made up word) way. In truth, they are more inclines, but back in January, they were solid, terrifying hills and I am chuffed I can get up them now. There are still a few outstanding hills on my radar – the local readers among you will know the ones –  but they are something to aim for in 2019.

December saw me return to the Race At Your Pace 50-mile challenge to get me back out there after a three-week absence in November…and because the medal was really pretty. I have always been a magpie for something shiny and glittery! The 50 miles were banked by December 27, but I had one more challenge to go.

For some reason, I wanted to nail 10 miles by the end of 2018. No real reason apart from the fact it’s a nice round number and it takes me into double figures. I have no idea where I am going with this running malarkey but feel extending my distance is the next step because I am not sure I can run any faster.

I did the dreaded Eastbourne seafront run with my long-time buddy Matt (below) a few weekends ago, before scattering my Dad’s ashes on the golf course he loved so much. The last time I did this run was the day after his funeral and it was, unsurprisingly, a disaster. It was a low point that had to be rectified.

I think Matt and my husband had colluded to try and get me to run 10 km in under a hour but the pace was just a little too much for me…especially when I was trying to talk at the same time! I am very content trundling along at 6+-min kilometres. I was happy with the run. It hadn’t beaten me this time. And there is plenty of time to nail the hour-mark another day.

Eastbourne seafront…done!

The 10-mile route

Pretty medal

Post-10-mile

People do not seem to believe me when I say I am a slow runner, but I am and I am cool with that. My average time per mile today was 11 minutes and 15 seconds with two hill walks nestled in there. Pretty slow…but pretty cool that I got to 10 miles. I also did it on the back of my first session back to Body Pump in two months so the DOMS were setting in before I even left the house. Following the run, I am not sure I will be able to get up from my chair after writing this! My wise Canadian cousin Emma advised me to walk down the stairs backwards. I am all over that!

This year has been a tough one for a few reasons with Dad’s dementia and death smack bang in the middle of it, but running has given me an escape route and something to be proud of. The two 10 km races, the hills I now consider inclines, the monthly challenges, today’s 10-miler, running with friends, etc. have made me feel better about myself and more resilient to sadness.

I have a few goals for 2019, which I will no doubt bore you with, but even if I do not attain them, I will still be moving, will still be out in the fresh air and will still be honouring my dear old Dad.

If you are thinking about taking on a challenge for 2019, then I wholeheartedly urge you to do it. You do not have to be in mourning like I was or training for a marathon or an Iron Man like almost everyone I know! A challenge is a personal one. It might be walking to school with the kids every day rather than driving the car or committing to one exercise class a week or doing yoga at home. Getting a fitness tracker watch made a lot of difference to me as it revealed that on days when I do not do any exercise, I can do less than 1,500 steps a day, which is shocking. That’s the nature of my job desk-based job though so I have to make the effort outside of work. We all have our triggers for activity; find yours. If you move more in 2019 then you did in 2018, than that’s amazing.

Happy New Year!

#runningfordad #slowrunningisstillrunning #slowchick #boom10miles