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.