Day 211 - slow parkrun

Bit snowy and icy as well as muddy at Leeds parkrun today but it was more my cold and the after effects of yesterday's long run that slowed me down.

So a steady 20:09 for 20th place was quite enjoyable, slow start to get my breathing and legs going and then an speedier last lap over taking people!

3 more miles to the tally which now stands at 1,172.

Day 210 - last long run before London

London Marathon is now only three weeks away so this was the last long run before the big day. Did a 23 mile loop from Otley out to Menston, then Guiseley, Rawdon, Apperley Bridge, Calverley, Rodley, Horsforth, West Park, Weetwood, Adle, Bramhope and home.

At times it was quite nice in the spring sunshine, but when it clouded over it was very cold! Not a quick run, but considering I'm still recovering from this cold, fairly satisfying.

23 more miles and the tally now stands at 1,169.

Day 209 - timed run

As part of the Marathon Talk spring motivation I signed up to a timed run this month. I chose the Bradford 10k predicting 39:30. Only that got cancelled because of the snow. So, with no road 10ks near by, and the run needing to be done by the end of March, I set out to do my own timed run.

I MapMyRunned a route out to Bramhope and back, not ideal as its uphill and with a few road crossings but, what I hadn't factored in is that the footpath is still covered in snow/ice/slush and, worse, in places there are still snow drifts!!

Anyway, I battled uphill into the wind, also battling the remnants of my cold, but felt good, also knowing that its downhill on the way back! Final time, 40:43. Not brilliant, but not bad.

With my warm up and warm down runs that was seven miles today taking the tally on the 365 challenge to 1,146.

Day 208 - five miles

Usual Otley five and, as has become usual, it was snowing! Pavements nearly all clear of snow and ice now though so hopefully the weekend's long run should be OK.

Five miles to the tally moves it on to 1,139 miles.

Day 207 - quick two

Long day at the office! Left home in sleeting snow at 7 am from long training day in York (proper 9 till gone 5), then straight to school meeting for 7, home by 9.15 ( excellent chairing skills!). Straight out for run, back showered and sitting in chair drinking wine by 10. Knackered.......

Two more miles. Tally limps along to 1,134.

Day 206 - I walked outside to go for my run and it was snowing.....

OK, not that exciting compared to the weekend's fall but it's was snow and snow that was settling, but more like a light dusting of icing sugar than a thick slab of buttercream icing.

Underfoot conditions not bad, but it was so quiet out that running in the roads (which were all clear of snow) was no problem.

Five more miles run and after 206 days of running everyday I've now clocked up 1,132 miles.

Day 205 - do I need my Kahtoola's?

That was the question I asked as I was about the leave the house today. Luckily I decided I did. Infact, Ice axe, ropes and a bivvy bag wouldn't have looked out of place!

Eight mile loop up the Leeds Road to Bramhope and back. Cold uphill into the wind, packed, icy snow underfoot, then, on the section after the Dyneley Arms, knee deep snow drifts! I also saw a few people snow boarding from the top of Old Pool Bank. And it's Easter next weekend?

Still got this hacking cough but its working its way out and, overall quite an enjoyable run.

Eight more miles to the tally which now stands at 1,127.

Day 204 - even more snow!

Lots more of the fluffy white stuff overnight but Leeds parkrun still went ahead! Driving to the run was the trickiest bit, despite having cleared the car of snow last night it was several inches deep again, so it took a while to get it all clear. The roads were slushy in places, still completely snow covered in others and nearly all just two tyre tracks down the middle - and this is the main road, main bus route into Leeds! I did see a few snow ploughs out, I guess it's just been snowing too much! Still, not much traffic to contend with, but there were lots of idiots about and impatient 4x4 owners........

Still, parkrun was fun! About 30 or 40 runners at a guess including about three first timers! I forgot I'd got this hacking cough to start with and set off far too fast, almost killed myself, so settled back into a steady rhythm. Under foot conditions were good, especially as the snow got compacted and the park was a picture.

Finished with a sprint for 13th place in somewhere around 21:30.

So, three snowy miles takes the tally to 1,119.

Day 203 - SNOW!

And lots of it. Still a bit coldly but felt good so went out and did five miles. Very quiet out, snow not too slushy or icy but still coming down so will be interesting to see what it looks like in the morning.

Tally now stands at 1,116.

Day 202 - running in the sunshine

Lunchtime run with Pamela today. Bright and sunny but the east wind was cold, though not yet any snow.....

Just three miles which was just enough. Cold working its way through. No more detail needed.

Three takes the tally up to 1,111.

Day 201 - still full of cold

So, just two again. A bit frustrating but it is very cold outside, though at least it's stopped snowing. For now....

Two more miles, 1,108 now run.

Day 200 - cold!

Now that wasn't supposed to happen. Day 200 on this epic challenge and I succumb to a cold. Proper sore throat, coughing cold. So, no seven miler as on my schedule but the first bare minimum two miles in some time.

Still, I guess if I wasn't on this challenge I wouldn't have run at all and I also did six miles on the bike today cycling to and from stations for meetings in York.

Day 200, two more miles to the tally which now stands at 1,106. Only 165 more days to go.

Day 199 - snow!

Woke up to several inches of snow this morning, with roads blocked and queuing traffic from Otley to Leeds. So, took the decision to work from home, which also meant an opportunity of a lunchtime run in daylight!

Did the six mile loop up the Leeds Road and Pool Bank and into the Chevin Forest. It was sleeting at home but snowing on the top with a good two inches of snow in the forest. The run itself though is best described as WET! Wet under foot in slush, then wet, slippy mud and wet stuff falling out of the sky. But, once off road quiet and total deserted, not another soul in sight.

Six more miles and the tally now stands at 1,104 miles run.

Day 198 - South Yorkshire Half Marathon

First time doing this race, a two lap tour of old villages and mining communities in the Dearne Valley (including running passed some of RSPB's newly acquired land that is being managed not only for wildlife but also for flood alleviation).

A cold day, but fairly still and a surprising quick course. There were two hills that added about a minute onto my time, otherwise a PB would have been on the cards. But, I was very pleased to finish in a time of 1:24:45 which is my 5th quickest half marathon (today was number 30) and my quickest since 2007!

What made it even more satisfying is that I ran it pretty much as a time trial as I was out on my own after less than a mile into the race. I was being tracked by a youngster who trailed me up until about mile 8 then went out about 30 secs ahead. Apparently he'd been using me as his pacer and was very pleased to clock a new PB! Like myself and a few other runners he was using this as a pre London time trial.

So, a very satisfying morning, still to find out what place I came but also think I might have been ahead of the first women, or to put that into South African runner's parlance, I avoided being 'chicked'!!

13 more miles to the tally takes it to 1,098!

Day 197 - Highbury & Islington parkrun

Another parkrun tourist day after a night of beer and curry in London celebrating the first of many 50th birthday's this year.

H&I parkrun is five and a bit laps of Highbury Fields, all on Tarmac paths with on a slight hill.

Five and a bit laps turned out to be quite a lot and I was really hoping I'd miss-counted and be able to run into the finish funnel at the end of lap 'four'. Sadly I had counted correctly and had to go round once again.

Not a fast run today, again took it too steady early on for that, but happy to come in fifth overall and only headed by a bunch of youngsters! Which also meant I was first in my age category.

Pamela also achieved her target again, aiming not to come last she was never in danger of that and finished in 71st place in just outside 28 minutes.

Another 3 miles run which takes the tally to 1,085. South Yorkshire half marathon tomorrow.

Day 196 - up hill and down dale

Just three miles at lunchtime today and I was intending to do the usual three road miles. However, when I put my trail shoes on (for reasons that are too complicated to go into) I just wanted to run off road. So I did!

Up East Chevin Road then into the forest for the roller coster run back down the hill. Very enjoyable!

Three miles takes the tally to 1,082.

Day 195 - just a bit of fun!

Schedule said ten miles tonight, who writes these things?! But I really didn't feel like doing ten miles late, in the dark, in the cold. So, I didn't!

Instead I just ran at random around the streets of Otley, down some side streets I'd never ventured into before and after 47 minutes had clocked up 6 miles. Fun!

Six miles takes the tally to 1,079.

Day 194 - two runs today

Car was in for a service today so ended up doing two runs! First run in beautiful sunshine this morning, clear skies, views of the snowy hills off in the distance, awesome!! Bit of a random route just touring the streets of Otley but added up to five miles in all.

Interestingly my pace over the first three miles was 7:46, 7:46 and 7:48. Pretty consistent huh? Only need to increase that by 57 secs per mile to be in with a shot of sub 3 at London.......

Run number two was the run back up the hill the other side of Otley to pick up the car, about two miles. Very uneventful, bit snowy/sleety but easy paced.

So, seven miles in all today takes the tally to 1,073.

Day 193 - the 200 day milestone is getting close!

Just three miles tonight after a very productive school meeting and, with the new, earlier start time to the meeting it meant my run wasn't too late. It will still be 10 pm before I sit down to eat though!

Three more miles and the tally moves onwards and upwards to 1,066. Which seems like a significant number.......

Day 192 - snow, biting winds, where has spring gone?!

Eight miles this evening and as I sit typing this the chill blanes in my legs are raging......

About minus four tonight and no doubt much colder into the biting easterly wind. Snow flurries also continuing to fall so it was a very Arctic experience! Very quiet though, only one set of footprints in the snow going up the Leeds Road all the way to Bramhope and only one set of footprints on the way back......

Eight miles takes the tally to 1,063.

Day 191 - tentative two as the snow and ice return

Popped out for a quick two miler after getting home from our weekend away and nearly went head over heel in the yard as I skidded on black ice! A big snow flurry had covered the ground then melted, then frozen. Ended up gritting our hill before heading out for a very tentative two. As ever though, it seems the extreme weather was confined to Silver Mill Hill!

Anyway, run done, two more miles in the bag and the total now stands at 1,055.

Day 190 - Welsh parkrun

First ever Welsh parkrun today at Bryn Bach at the head of the valleys. Very misty, but still and not too cold. Only 23 runners, Bryn Bach only started last July and usually has about 30 runners. Having checked out past results there had to be chance of a first place and Pamela's target was not to finish last.

The course is two and half laps of a lake and is dead flat. I started off steadily with a couple of other runners for company but soon realised I could up my pace and ran the rest of the race at the front. My first ever parkrun win! The time was 18:54, so not that fast, a result mainly of the cautious start. Still, target achieved.

Pamela also achieved her aim, finishing 21st, her highest ever finish too.

Our reward was breakfast back at the Angel in Abergavenny, yum! And then a walk up the Sugar Loaf, 8.5 miles from the door of the hotel with 596 metres of ascent.

Off to the Walnut Tree this evening for some fine dining!

So, just three more miles takes the tally to 1,053.

Day 189 - canal running!

Weekend away in Abergavenny to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Staying in Castle Cottage, part of the Angel Hotel. Very nice.

Ran from the town out to the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal. Ran with Pamela for the first 20 odd minutes, she then headed back and I continued on along the canal. Nice flat running, bit muddy, but nice being somewhere different and just running without knowing where you are going!

About 8 miles in all.

Run was followed by high tea , champagne, little sandwiches, warm savoury pastries lots of cakes and lovely tea. Yum!!

Snooze time now.....

8 more miles takes the tally to 1,050.

Day 188 - free flowing four

Only two on the schedule but decided to run four, how radical is that?! OK, not really very radicle but felt a tab rebellious. Basically it's been a busy week and its a bit boring running twos all the time, so I did four.

And four more makes 1,042 miles run so far.

Day 187 - another early two

School meeting tonight so decided to do another early minimum run, it also meant I could pick the car up having left it at the restaurant last night!

Another two miles and the total now stands at 1,038.

Day 186 - today is our 25th wedding anniversary!

Up early today for a quiet, misty dawn two miler. Quite nice being out on the streets so early and the sky, despite the veil of mist, was already starting to lighten - roll on spring!

Off to Leighton Moss in Lancashire shortly then back in time for a quick turn around before heading out with Pamela and Emma (yes, Emma's coming too!) to celebrate our anniversary.

So two more miles makes 1,036.

Day 185 - gentle three miles

Late, cool, still, slightly misty three miles around Otley. Legs a bit tired especially going uphill but otherwise fine.

Three more miles and the tally now stands at 1,034 miles.

Day 184 - twenty miles

A proper Sunday long run. Tried and tested 20 mile loop all on pavements (apart from one short field crossing) and alongside rather busy roads, nothing Wild Coast about this run.

Still, felt fairly strong, finished with my fastest mile at the end and kept on envisaging the London Marathon route.......

20 more miles takes the 365 tally to 1,031 miles.

Day 183 - passed half way!

Leeds parkrun this morning and despite my legs feeling tired managed to run faster than last week and clock 18:43 for 14th place, very pleased with that!

Perfect running conditions today though, dry, sunny, cool but not too cold. Pamela also clocked a season's best with just over 27 mins.

So that takes the running tally to 1,011 miles.

Day 182 - tired two.

I think I might have been doing a bit too much running! Even running my minimum two mile loop I was feeling tired towards the end.

Ah well, just parkrun tomorrow, so only 3.1 miles, then plenty of rest before Sunday's long run.

Good luck to Simon and Steve running the High Peak Marathon starting at 11 pm tonight. Looks like conditions might be good as long as the mist stays away.

Two more miles and the tally limps along to 1,008.