Well that was July.

[pinkaardvark]

I do love this little bit of social media self indulgence, so please excuse.

Another month gone by and another chance to reflect on how my running has changed and evolved over time.

At the start of the month I was a week into the marathon training program that I said to myself I would give a go after having noodled out a HM one evening back in Jun. I did not expect to still be following the plan 5 weeks later but here I am still plodding away at it. So it seems if you just start something, often the inertia is enough to keep you going without too much course correction, I wonder how many others end up wondering quite how they got from A to B in such a short space of time by only having made the decision to try?

It was so hot this month it was crazy but I managed to keep getting out somehow, hiding in the shade or the twilight mostly. Here's hoping for some cooler runs in August(not too cool though, have finally ordered some vests )

I managed to complete my fourth 10k race the Willingham Fen Gallop as well this month and now I need to find something to work to in August as I have had a 10k every month since April so seems bad to break a habit, any suggestions?

I burned through my lovely cloudflyers this month, I wonder how many shoes we will all discard as a group throughout our running careers, let's hope it is a plentiful amount

I said again this month that I wasn't sure if I liked running, and felt I run for the health benefits and the challenge alone. Last night even though I wasn't having hte best run, I started to finally come to terms with the fact that maybe I actually may enjoy it.. just a little

And lastly.. 200km ran in July.. if I could bend over backwards and blow my own trumpet, I would, I am quite pleased with myself for managing that, another sily strava challenge I didn't even recall clicking on and didn't even notice until a few days ago, but it sure kept me going to the end. Here's to 200+ next month.

The pic is from my long run last weekend when we got all the rain, and I got a good helping hehe too. My partner is always reminded of her late father when she sees a rainbow, so to see a double near the start of my run and another mid run, it felt like I had a guardian.

Have a great August!

[Anthie Graduate10]

Just one word: BRAVO for the amazing progress and achievements! Keep on running and perhaps enjoy it more and more... No advice from me as I'm a little beetle compared to you: still a novice and had to deal with setbacks in June after a severe bronchitis. But it's always inspirational to read posts like yours. So good luck with your next targets!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

You should be blowing your own trumpet very loudly 🎺 🎶!! You’ve done amazingly well. So many achievements to be proud of. 🥇🙌🏼🙌🏼😎

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

What a lovely report Pink, your running acheivements this month are fab!😊

Well done with your Marathon training so far, huge respect and looking forward to seeing what you do next!😊xx

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Great report pink! Lovely thoughts about the rainbow too x

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Lovely post. Here’s to wearing out many shoes!

[Hidden]

You are amazing. I’m not surprised you’ve burned through your flyers, though mine are beginning to show wear underneath. And I’m glad you are beginning to enjoy running. With all the hard work you’ve put in and the mileage you’ve clocked up, it would be a shame if you didn’t. Dare I ask if the enjoyment stems from the more relaxed attitude you’ve adopted on occasions? And I so enjoy your photographs.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I do feel I have to prove less to myself and can cope with just running the distance my way better now. Maybe learning to endurance run adds a level of mental rigour that we all strive for initially when learning. Thankyou for mentioning the photos, it is fun to see things worth photographing when out. Shame a phone is such a limited tool, but maybe thats also the key.

[Madge50 Graduate10]

Blimey pink, you’ll be like billy whiz by the time we get to Wimpole again! Nevermind meeting up, you’ll leave us for dust!

I couldn’t see many events up for August, there’s a HM at Kimbolton, 19th I think......Riverside runners event this Sunday at St Neots....

Keep well matey, nice photo 👍

Mx

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Madge50]

Hmm will have a look at the Kimbolton one. I think I may need to dial the running back a bit as with all the distance I'm having no time to focus on getting quicker. Maybe drop down to 4 days a week or switch a run to speed work. Need to practice some hills too so may start running around wimpole if I can work out the route.

[Madge50 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

We’ve been doing some speedwork, I find 10 second sprints seem to work for me, I try and do at least 4 in a set, sprint, recover 30-45 seconds repeat....the speed podcast with 60 second ‘fast pace’ didn’t suit me, I found it too much and started to get calf niggles.

For routes round Wimpole look at the Hoohaah 10 Mile/HM page, the routes are on there, there is a killer hill (it really is) at about 6 Miles....😱...not the same as the 10k.......it’s actually part of the cycling route, but we go up it.....😂

Mx

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

200km is indeed a number to be proud of. They might be silly little challenges but they are great ways to keep confidence up.

Keep it up!! 👍💪😁

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Great post Pink. Wow what an achievement, 200km!! So pleased to hear you might like running as would hate to lose you and your inspirational posts.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thankyou lorijay and congrats on your first 10k again 😁, your badge is looking very shiny. I nearly didn't make this post as I read someone else mention the term 'humblebrag' and thought I really shouldn't be self congratulating eek. But I think it is fun and important to be a bit American at times and celebrate our wins 👍

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

So glad you did post it pink as it really does inspire and motivate to hear about success and achievements like yours. Definitely not "humblebrag". You've worked hard to achieve what you have and I guess most of us could achieve the same if we put in the same amount of time and work. When I read posts like yours I tend to visualise and think just maybe....and the seed is sown. See motivational

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

A lovely post, a great picture and an amazing achievement. Toot away pinkaardvark, you deserve it🎉🎺🎉🎺