Run - recovery

This is the view on my first post-marathon run on Friday - I was  lucky that the weather was perfect, I was able to run by the sea and my legs felt normal!  Still need to (literally!) tread carefully for a couple of weeks but I'm still so pleased with how the marathon went.  Time to look for a few more (shorter) events to put in the calendar, I think.

Run - spotted

My run today was hard, heavy-legged plodding. I had to keep reminding myself that I felt like this a couple of weeks ago and then had a great long run this week - better to get the bad runs out of the way now. One of the reasons it was so hard was due to running solo - I love running with others because its so social, and the chat is a welcome distraction from thinking about how heavy my legs are, or wondering if I need to stop for a wee.

But running alone does have the advantage of being able to stop where I like, especially if I see something worth photographing.  These lovely little flowers (I think they're dog violets) were hidden among the foliage at the side of the path I was running down - I was very pleased to have spotted them (not just for their distraction qualities).

Run - 8 miles early(ish) doors

I've been wanting to do a longer mid-week run and managed to fit in 8 miles this morning before work (usually mid-week runs are no more than 6 miles - often quite a lot less).  Admittedly, I'd arranged to start work late today so it's not really very impressive - but pleasing nonetheless. And today's run was one of those rare runs where it all feels good for the whole run.  I walked a very small part (up a muddy hill) but on the whole kept up a reasonable pace and really pushed it for the last mile.  I'm entering the hardest part of my marathon schedule - lots of big runs and not much downtime - so it's nice to get the odd good run in as I know they won't all feel like that. The other big plus for me was that it was a solo run which I normally hate.

I chose a lovely muddy route and because I wanted to keep up a reasonable pace I didn't stop to take any pictures - so here's a pair of very muddy trainers afterwards.

Run - night running

Fluorescent yellow socks? Check. Light up stripes? Check. Luminous t-shirt (luckily not visible in the photo)? Check.  Night running is not a very glamorous business.

It is however essential when you've got to fit the miles in and you have no childcare easily available. I'm getting used to snatching a run here and there whilst my children are at activities.  Most weeks I stand and devotedly watch my youngest at football training - tonight I asked a couple of other parents to keep an eye on him while I ran in ever decreasing circles for 45 minutes around the surrounding streets. Madness - but time-efficient madness I guess.

Run - a short loop

I didn't manage to drag myself out for a run till 4.30 today. The light was beginning to fade and I needed to be back within 50 minutes as we were going out, so I decided on a short loop - through the woods and along footpaths then back along the railway line. I'm not sure what the best sort of photo is to illustrate a running blog post - this time I decided to see what the view was like at the 2 mile point (halfway). Although cloudy and grey, the green is beginning to dominate - spring must be coming!

I'm very lucky to live close to the town centre yet less than 10 (running) minutes away from open countryside, and I appreciate this every time I go for a run. I love the way running regularly in the countryside lets me really notice the changing seasons and patterns of nature.

It might be another running post tomorrow as I'm due to do my weekly long run. It will be quite different surroundings for a lot of it - maybe I'll photograph the halfway point again. Fingers crossed for sunshine!