Day 303 - five

Quite a nice Otley five. Mostly run, but still some walking. Legs still tired. Thigh muscles still sore BUT, getting there.

 Five more miles means the tally now stands at 1,709.

Day 302 - Harrogate parkrun

First time at Harrogate parkrun this morning inn. Had to drop Emma off at work for a 9 am start rather than her usual 11.30, so perfect timing to fit in Harrogate parkrun.

Nice three lap course on the Stray, mix of grass and Tarmac paths. Set off slowly, in part because I didn't know how well my legs would stand up, but also because the path was very narrow (though plenty of people ran on the grassy slopes either side). Anyway, found I was running OK, not exactly smooth, but tired rather than sore muscles so slowly worked my way up the field and ended with a sprint finish. Time, exactly 20 minutes. Place, 22nd! So, good to be back running.

That's also three more miles to add to the tally which now stands at 1,704 miles.

Day 301 - still limping along

Much better run today. Bright and breezy after the earlier rain and almost had a spring in my step. Still did some walking, thigh muscles tiring and screaming (Apple's spellchecker had that as scheming.....), but feeling good about tomorrow's parkrun and next weekend's Hamsterley Marathon feels less of a stupid impulse entry!!

Two more miles and a new barrier broken with 1,701 miles now run since 1 September 2012.

Day 300!!

Well, 300 up, only 65 more days to go.

Still doing twos this week. Again a bit more running today, but on top of a lot of walking during the day my thighs are still very sore!

Still, it feels like progress and two more miles takes the tally ever nearer to 1,700 standing at 1,699!

Day 299 - getting there

Out early for two miles with Pamela. Still walking bits but running more. Big test will be Parkrun on Saturday, especially as Sheila and Dave are visiting on Friday night....!

Two more miles takes the tally to 1,697.

Day 298 - this is painful....

This week is the first time that I've thought that carrying on with the 365 challenge isn't really worth it. Previously there have been logistical challenges, but never before has running been painful.

However, I do believe that my good race results recently have been a result of running everyday and that includes the PB at the weekend.

So, I will persist. Two more miles today, a bit more running and the tally staggers on to 1,695.

Day 297 - two in new Brooks Ghost Five

Less of a shuffle, but the bits that I 'ran', weren't pretty! The pain, mostly in my upper thighs, was helped slightly by a brand new pair of bouncy Brooks Ghost Fives.

So, two more miles, the 1,700 mark edges nearer as the tally limps up to 1,693.

Day 296 - Otley shuffle

I knew running the day after the West Highland Way race was always going to be hard, but I never imagined not being able to actually run!!

Extremely sore thighs unable to take the downward force of a running stride meant I was reduced to a shuffle/walk. Still, the minimum 20 minutes were accomplished with about a mile added to the tally which now stands at 1,691.

Day 295 - 95 miles along the West Highland Way

Will update more tomorrow, but a great eighth West Highland Way race culminating in my fifth finish and best ever time in 21 hours and 41 minutes. Also came in 27th place which was very satisfying given it was record field with 181 starters and 149 finishers.

Massive thanks to Pamela and Dad for acting as support crew, experiencing midges, sleep deprivation, ultra runner rudeness and the Scottish weather (torrential rain, sun, rainbows, bitter winds....).

95 miles jumps the tally forward to 1,690 miles.

More to follow......

Day 294 - another two

Last two miler before the West Highland Way race which kicks off in 15.5 hours time!!!

Usual Otley two, but unusually clashing with primary school rush hour - mayhem of bikes, scooters, small children and smoking mums......as in 'avian a fag'.

Two more miles takes the tally to 1,595.

Day 293 - two in a light drizzle

Just two again. Drizzling, which according to the weather forecast is just an appetiser ahead of a weekend of rain in the Highlands.

Oh well!

Two more miles and the tally now stands at 1,593.

Day 292 - evening Monsieur Reynard

Only two miles again this evening, running up the Leeds Road and back. Occasionally on my runs I encounter some wildlife. Tonight, a fox. Now, you might think that would be fairly common given that we virtually live in the countryside, but I think that's only the second fox I've seen in Otley in ten years. In London, they were ten a penny.

Two more miles and the tally now stands at 1,591.

Day 291 - just two (Tuesday 18 June)

Tapering for the West Highland Way race which starts at 1am Saturday morning........so just two tonight. Ran in my Pureflows which really do seem to be quick, running most of it on my toes! Also think I managed to work out the alarm on my Suunto so I get a nutrition alert every 20 minutes for Saturday's race. Will need to test it again later.

So, two more miles and the total mileage now stands at 1,589.

Day 290 - five, just......(Monday 17 June)

Usual Otley five that was as uneventful as ever until someone decided to try and run me over!! I was on the pavement and they decided it was OK to just drive straight at me to get to their drive way and garage. I politely remonstrated with them but apparently it was my fault for not stopping and if I ever get run over it will be entirely my fault. Bizarre!

Anyways, another five miles in the bag and the 365 tally now stands at 1,587.

Day 289 - Father's Day seven (Sunday 16 June)

Lovely day out and picnic at the Yorkshire Sculpture park including Emma's amazing dark chocolate chip cookies with fresh raspberry cream. Yum! Also a fantastic exhibition by Yinka Shinabare. Think Grayson Perry of textiles. Well worth a visit.

Did the daily run on our return home. The seven mile Burley Menston run with Pamela.

A most enjoyable day.

Seven more miles takes the tally up to 1,582.

I think it's fixed!

Last few posts have failed to load, will be back tomorrow to update.....

Another test

Test

Problem posting from my ipad, so this is just a test......

One year running streak

Check out Ketan's blog and his account of running everyday for a year: http://www.ketans.com/

Day 288 - no parkrun!

Overnight in Berwick and early depart to take Emma to work in Harrogate, so no parkrun. Instead a day of West Highland Way preparation including the obligatory haircut, some shopping (spare headtorch batteries) and starting to lay the kit out in the bedroom......that and entering another marathon, Hamsterley Forest on 6 July!

No parkrun but still three miles run, only around Otley, in the early evening sun and post carnival quiet - though there were a surprisingly large number of drunk people about.....

Three more miles takes the tally to 1,575.

Day 287 - FOUR!

Fun day out in Edinburgh checking out the University as Emma decides where she would like to study from next year. Edinburgh made a good impression, lovely city, good courses, amazing sports facilities and its Scottish!

Four mile run out from the caravan after we got back taking in Berwick's two bridges. OK, there are three but one is for trains.

Four more miles and the tally moves up to 1,572.

Day 286 - to the lighthouse

Bike, train, run! Lovely four mile cycle ride from the conference to York station this afternoon, all off road. Then a hideously busy train from York to Berwick, at least I did have a seat. Quick freewheel from Berwick station to the caravan (apart from that teeny tiny hill from Spittal.....), and a short rest listening to the cricket before going out for my run.

I was going to run to Halidon Hill, but as it was such a bright, clear evening I decided to stay by the sea, so ran out to the end of Spittal promenade and back, then across Berwick Bridge, out to the lighthouse then a meander around town before heading home via the newer road bridge and the hill that was the old great north road.

Eight miles in all and a very enjoyable, relaxing, time to switch off run.

Eight more miles takes the tally up,to 1,568 miles.

Day 285 - early two (Wednesday 12 June)

Off to York for a workshop and then the two day fundraising conference, so decided to run early (not much room on my bike for overnight stay and running kit!).

Early runs are early, but nice and quiet. Felt like West Highland Way time...

Two more miles equals 1,560 miles now run.

Day 284 - just two

Well, that's what it said in the schedule, so that's what I ran. One mile up the hill up Leeds Road, stop, pause, run back down.

Quite muggy evening, but quite a pleasant run.

Two more miles = 1,538 miles run on the 365 challenge.

Day283 - high fives!

Well, not exactly high, more plodding! A five mile meander around Otley, no order, just turn here, turn there. Nice sunset evening though and another five miles ticked off.

Total now stands at 1,536 miles run.

Day 282 - barbecue time?

Sun came out, rain stayed away people barbecued! Six mile run, early evening, smells of meatcooking on  barbecues, alcohol, diesel, nothing of springtime.

Nice run though, out to Pool, up Old Pool Bank and the nice descent down Leeds Rod.

Averaged 7:59 pace.

Six more miles and the tally now stands at 1,531 miles.

Day 281 - two runs, six miles

parkrun Leeds again this morning. Perfect running conditions again and just starting to feel hot in the full sun.

Ran in my new Brooks Pureflow running shoes for the first time and blasted 18:20 for my quickest time in two years! Still 20 seconds off my PB at Leeds, 18 minutes dead, but that's only 8 seconds off my third fastest time. Pureflow = Pure Speed? Who knows.

And, Pamela did run a PB, breaking the 26 minute mark with 25:59!! Good morning's running.

Early evening I then ran to Menston station to pick up the car. Left overnight after rather complicated travel arrangements to get to the Eddie Izzard gig. Three more miles.

So, six today, 1,525 miles now run since 1 September 2012.

Day 280 - only 85 days to go! (Friday 7 June)

An early two this morning as we went to see Eddie Izzard at the Manchester Arena in the evening, home past midnight. Very funny!! #ForceMajeure

Two more miles (this time in Ghosts) takes the tally to 1,519.

Day 279 - two (Thursday 6 June)

Just two this evening, again testing out the new Brooks Pureflow shoes. Didn't feel as a fast as on day one, but then I was feeling exhausted after another long but enjoyable working day. Also put in 6 miles on the Brompton with my rides to and from stations.

So, two more miles takes the tally on to 1,517 miles now run.

Day 278 - seven!

New Compressport calf guards arrived today, old ones laddered and in the bin! New ones are 'Ultra Race & Recovery', impregnated with essential oils. Fancy!

Anyway, nice run out up the Leeds Road, down Pool Bank and back to Otley. Averaged 7:48 minute miling, probably still buzzing from securing a massive £600,000 plus grant today. Woohoo!!

Seven more miles takes the tally to 1,515.

Day 277 - off road with bluebells and J.Brownlee

New Speed Metal X-Socks arrived today (thanks for the speedy delivery Likeys. Ordered Sunday evening, arrived today) so I was inspired to do my five miles off road. Also decided to wear my Wild Coast Ultra T, so cool!

Took the short way to the forest - half a mile up our 12.5% gradient hill, then into the Chevin Forest Park. It was gorgeous! Dappled low sunlight illuminated the forest floor. There was a tapestry of bluebells carpeting every glade and crystal like flowers of wild garlic illuminating the darker corners of the wood. Just stunning, the scents were also intoxicating.

At the edge of the woods I also stopped to take in the view. Really clear and sharp today, Beamsley Beacon off to the West towards the Dales, Almscliff Crag to the East and between 40 and 60 miles away the edges of the North York Moors stood bold and proud in the late spring sunshine. Awesome!!

I then set off uphill back towards the forest and spotted another runner heading my way. Red Adidas top, slim, lightweight, school kid? No, only one Mr Jonathan Brownlee, World Triathlon Champion!! We nodded and exchanged a friendly 'evening' before heading our separate ways. He was probably thinking:"Awesome, that guy has run the Wild Coast Ultra. Respect". I was thinking: "OMG that's a Brownlee, an amazing, real life athlete and World Champion. He's so tiny!".

Probably explains why I never became a World Champion triathlete. Just too big.

So, one awesome evenings run.

Five more miles to the tally as well, which now stands at 1,508 miles.

Day 276 - two miles of Pure

First run out in my new Brooks Pureflow and I felt like I wanted to run like the wind. The shoes, or just the expectation that these lightweight, nod towards minimalist shoes 'should' make me faster? Time will tell.

Comfortable though and definitely felt an increase in forefoot running. Just two miles for now, will alternate with the slowly deteriorating Ghost 5's. They have done 449 miles and are in need of a change. More shoes to buy.......

Two more miles takes the tally to 1,503.

Day 275 - Brooks Pureflow

Bus into Leeds to buy a new pair of running shoes, some near minimalist Brooks Pureflow. Very nice and extremely lightweight. Looking forward to testing them out this week.

Run back from Leeds was 11 miles in all. Nice steady pace, averaging 7:49 minute miles. Good workout.

 And, 11 more miles takes the 365 challenge total to 1,501 miles run. Just three months to go!

Day 274 - June

New month, same old parkrun, but this time a season's best in 18:28 and 12th place.

Pretty perfect running conditions today and my legs felt good this morning despite struggling through my runs in the week. So, it's all good!

Three more miles to the tally as well taking the running total to 1,490. The 1,500 mile mark is within touching distance.......

Day 273 - just two (Friday 31 May)

Nothing exciting, just two miles around Otley's streets. A different two miles just meandering through town in bright, breezy sunshine.

Two takes the tally on to 1,487.