A small victory

Perfect conditions for running this morning: slightly warm, slightly damp. I managed to make it round without walking - even up the hills - which I was delighted about. I was hoping to have a post run swim but the weather turned. I generally like swimming in the rain but recently I've found it tricky to warm up after. If I get too cold, I just fall asleeep and that hamstrings any plans for the afternoon. Stats: 4.3 miles.

Local loop

I tried to run yesterday. Woeful is the best description. Ended up cutting my losses and went for a swim in the mixed pond instead. Headed home, had a bath and slept for two hours. Some days sleep is the best medicine. Woke up feeling much improved today and managed a very lovely run skirting the edges of Hampstead. It's a run I used to do all the time and my legs were on automatic. The only walking was up Holly Mount. It's like rock climbing there so was quite happy to meander slowly. Running to music helped, albeit with only one ear of my earphones working. Hoping to repeat the run on Tuesday. Stats: 3.59 miles.

Unexpected run

Yesterday I was supposed to be in Swindon. British Rail had other ideas. Instead I went for a run. As I get older I find myself having the same epiphanies over and over again. Eighteen months ago I realised I have more enjoyable runs if I first walk to the heath before setting off on the run proper (thank you Henry Kelly). This is because there is a steep hill outside my house. I'm not great on hills. I'm particularly not great on hills when they start my run. So 18 months ago I decided a walk to heath then run would be the best idea. Then I forgot all about it till yesterday. Same ephiphany. Same walk. Same run. Same increased enjoyment from not overfilling my muscles with lactic acid on the way up. Hopefully writing this will act as a reminder so this approach becomes practice not epiphany. Stats: 3.2 miles.

Civic duty

Went out for a run this morning with the sole purpose of voting. I'd pictured long queues out of the polling station, due to covid restrictions on how many people could be in there at once. I got there at 8 am. It was just me. And a man who turned up and caused confusion as he'd registered for a postal vote but hadn't brought it with him. Afraid I didn't hang around to discover how this small drama played out. Today's run went quite well. Still had to walk up some of the hills but it felt a little easier and I felt a little lighter. Golders Hill Park is lovely first thing: honking geese, grazing deer, small dogs greeting each other. A nice start to the day. Stats: 3.2 miles.

Nice eve after a grey old day

By some miracle I managed to get out for a run after work tonight. I really do lose all motivation to leave the house after a day on my arse. I had to trick myself into promising all I had to do was put my kit on. After that, it was relatively easy to shoehorn myself out the door. I ran a bit, walked a bit and encountered a fox loping across my path. He glanced casually and briefly over his shoulder at me then carried on. I hope I see him tomorrow night. Stats: 3 miles.

A spike in squirrels

Any day that begins with a small herd of deer having their breakfast can only be a good one. I jogged slowly to Golders Hill park this morning where the deer live. A flashback to when the heath and associated environs were Henry VIII's hunting ground. No hunters today, thankfully. The deer were happily grazing alongside a squirrel. Squirrels are everywhere. Last year was a mast year, which may explain why there's so many of them. It's nice to be outdoors after so much time confined to barracks. I'm not getting any faster with the running and my ankle still sometimes swells like a balloon but it's not painful and getting out for a run/walk is definitely good for the soul. Stats: 3 miles.

New kit

Treated myself to a new pair of shorts and running top from Gym Shark. First time I've felt suitably attired in a long while. I ran to swim in the mixed pond on the heath. Because of this I ran with a rucksack. It was exhausting even though all I had in it was a hoodie and a pair of joggers. Glad I took them as it was freezing when I got out of the pond. I think the temperature's fluctuating by 10 degrees every time the sun goes behind a cloud. I cannot wait for a nice steady 20. Not too hot, not too cold. Stats: 2.7 miles; 2 laps of the mixed pond at 12 degrees.

What not to eat

In case you were wondering, a large vegetarian burrito does not sit well during a run. Especially when it hasn't had chance to go down. This evening I took a gentle canter round the neighbourhood right after tea. I should have waited but time was ticking by and I could feel my resolve waning. Absolutely beautiful evening so I'm glad I went out but looking forward to not feeling billious. Stats: 2-mile run; 8 lengths of parli hill lido (earlier in day).

Day after

36 hours later and I have a sore arm from the vaccine (Moderna) but - fingers crossed - that's all the side effects so far. Appreciate there are still a couple of days to go but I'm hopeful. Oh actually I have a big red face, which could be a side effect or it could just be my big red face.

Not running

But health related. I'm off to get my first covid jab. I just poked down a very large breakfast. Hoping it'll help the vaccine go down nicely too. I'm all in favour and feel the benefits of the jab far outweigh the risks. However, I'm still a little nervous and had a tumultuous night's sleep that's resulted in a cricked neck. Fingers crossed I feel well enough to make it to the freezing pond tomorrow to nuke it. Stats: 2 fried eggs; one baked potato; sundry fried tomatoes and chorizo; a cuppa.

Seventeen minutes

Change of plan! Swapped swimming for resistance band today. Managed a mighty 17 minutes. I'm sweating. It's a good workout as several of my ankle rehab exercises are accomodated in the routine. Change of plan was prompted by a social engagement - I'm heading out to meet a friend I haven't seen in over 12 months. I am beyond excited. Stats: 17-minute resistance band workout.

Two runs, one swim

Last week I managed two gentle slow runs. They were a struggle, physically and mentally. I walked much of the way and was left feeling most unsatisfied. It's like my tyres were flat. So I've decided to park running till I'm fitter. So, how do I get fit? Today I went to the Swiss Cottage leisure centre. I used to swim there regularly 15 years ago but then I opted for the cold water of the heath ponds and lido instead. It was wonderful to swim in warm water again and I managed 30 lengths. I'm going back tomorrow. Stats: 30 lengths; 30 minutes.

Not coming easy

Years ago, if I had a break from running, it would be tough for a week or so but would get easier quickly. Not any more. I just went for a little run and it was like starting from scratch. I guess the issue is years ago I was a stone lighter and more active on a daily basis. If I went for a run, it would be in addition to an average of five miles of walking a day. Not now. If I go out for a run, then that's it. I'd blame the pandemic but my life became more sedentary when I moved into a studio flat in 2016. The novelty of having my own place resulted in more time in it - mostly in the fridge. And given I can commando roll from bed to kitchen to bathroom and back (and often do) there's less movement in general. Maybe if I can pledge to leave the house at least twice a day, this may work. Today my second outing will be to the pond for a bit of cryotherapy. Hopefully I can freeze off a decade. Stats: 2 miles.

Egg

Rehab was going well when I noticed - or a friend pointed out - my ankle looked like a melon. Or a lemon, at least. It wasn't painful but it was swollen. So I paused my runs and went swimming instead. Hooray for the re-opening of the ponds and lido. Double hooray for the minor heatwave. At 8 degrees the pond was freezing so I didn't stay in for long. The next day was the same. However, today - at the lido - it was warmer. 12 degrees. I guess the reflective surface on the bottom of the pool had 'heated' it through. I stayed in for about 5 minutes. It took a flask of tea and hot pasty to reheat my core. A greedy Golden Retriever tried to steal my pasty but I leapt out of the way. I love dogs but, when I'm cold, I love hot pasties more. Stats: 2 lengths of the lido.

Lighter

It's supposed to be 18 degrees and sunny today. It's currently neither. But it is nice weather for a run. I just nipped out, keeping to yesterday's route along Redington, home via Frognal. I'm pleased to report it was easier-going on both my lungs and ankle. Also, the ponds and lido re-open today. Happiness. Though also coldness. Stats: 2.1 miles.

Gravity

Another little run. It was tough. Now there's more of me to move, it's a lot trickier to get momentum. It's a grey old windy day and didn't look that inviting through the window but once out it was lovely. My ankle held up. I walked a bit, ran a bit, zig zagged a bit - an attempt to use different muscles. And I added the length of my road and back to the last run. Turns out that's an extra 300 metres. A useful distance if I ever feel like sprinting again. Stats: 2 miles; again, no idea of time.

A little run

Went for a gentle run this morning. It was punctuated by walking - not least so I could safely negotiate the traffic and give fellow pavement people plenty of room. In the past I'd go out before or after the commute but I got the urge at eight today and felt I should strike while the iron was red hot. It was good. Stats: 1.7 miles; no idea of time.

Single leg jumps compass

When I was at youth club my friends and I would line up and do a certain dance. I don't know what you'd call it but the dance involved two steps forward, three steps back, a kind of little jump then you recommenced the move. This is the worst description but it was a versatile dance you could do at every speed to every song - from Come on Eileen to Eye of the Tiger. We took it very seriously. I was reminded of it today during ankle rehab. 'Single leg jumps compass' involves standing on one leg then hopping onto the other around the points of the compass. It aims to build strength and proprioception. It occurred to me after a couple of sets it was not dissimilar to my 1980s' youth club dance. So I put on a record and did the dance instead. Even with an additional 38 years and five stone, it was most enjoyable.

Disorganised collagen

...is what's causing the swelling around my left ankle. Physio gave it a good massage and it's already more flexible. I need to do this myself, which will be challenging. It's so unjust I'm not healing like Wolverine. However, the ankle is improving and while I can't run, I'm allowed (and encouraged) to hop 5 times a day. Progress of sorts.

Foot hurts

My enthusiasm for the resistance band has waned. I was hoping I could start running instead but my foot has all the mobility of a breeze block. I'm booking in to see the physio this week. Hope he can fix it. Stats: Yesterday: 7.2 mile walk; approximately 2 hours; hence the sore foot today.

Persevering

Two rest days. Two resistance band days. After a year of working/sitting from home, my fitness is gone. I feel like I've melted. Saying that, today's workout was marginally easier and marginally more enjoyable. But that might be because I did it while watching Death in Paradise. What I wouldn't give for a sunset drink in Catherine's bar?! Ahhhhh... here's to sunnier times. Stats: 15-min resistance band workout.

Nemesis

Day 2 of resistance band workout. Weaker than usual due to hay fever caused by tree pollen. I live under several large trees. They're beautiful and make me feel like I'm living in a den, 12-year-old-me's dream. However, this time ever year the symptoms arrive - swollen eyes, red nose, additional feebleness. I can barely open a door, my hands are so trembly. Hopefully a large dose of Clarityn will help. That aside, my slightly aching limbs from yesterday's workout fill me with hope they're being employed and, in a few weeks' time, will be marginally stronger! Stats: 15-min resistance band workout.

I just tried to do one press-up

And failed. Well at least I now know the benchmark. Because my ankle is still too sore to run properly, I've switched to a resistance band workout. Before I could do this, I had to rearrange my flat to make space. For context, my studio flat is so small I can redecorate by changing the duvet. After a morning of clearing and cleaning, I had a suitable area and managed 15 minutes on the resistance band. Hopefully a few weeks of this will remind my core I have a core. Stats: 15-min resistance band workout; half a press-up.

Best run in ages

Only run in ages. I sprained my ankle mid January. Since then it's been increasingly swollen and angry, much like me. Today I took it for a test drive - a cautious run/walk down Finchley Road and back. No more than 20 seconds of running to a minute of walking. After some tetchy stiffness, it improved. Feel better already. A good day. Stats: About a mile; about 20 mins.