No news is good news!!

[Richard7]

Starting to increase my distance again after a number of months improving my pace at lower distance. I haven't been able to face intervals for a few weeks so have settled instead for gradually increasing my weekend distance.

After a few 6s and 7s and last week an 8k .. I decided another 8k was in store for today. I was aiming for an average 7m30s pace and headed off faster than intended but it served me well as I eventually finished with 7m19s. Not fast for most but comparing myself with myself at this distance this is good.

The last 1k was tough going but I think a few more weeks doing this distance before moving it up a gear. Next weekend will be a short run as I do my Jingle Jog run of just 5k.

This week has seen me losing the will to get up early leading to lunchtime runs and culminating in another daytime run today. I have enjoyed my runs this week much more than the darkness of other weeks.

The canal was alive this morning with both the wildlife in and out of the water and the dog walkers and runners alike. On my outward journey saying hello to a number of runners, cyclists and walkers and then seeing some of them again on the way back was one of this jokey smile/hello moments but the best was a returning dog walker who shouted encouragement to me which was lovely .. kept me going until the 8k marker. (Being slightly odd I had realised that 5 miles was just under 8.05k so I continued just that little bit more for this imperialists amongst us)!

Happy running everyone ... The best thing about running is being away from the news channel!

[Hidden]

ell done richard and a good pace too.

[Hidden]

Well done Richard. It sounds like a nice, friendly run. I'm becoming a fan of lunchtime runs although It's a rush. I end up hanging my running gear on the radiator but luckily, one of my colleagues is a runner and the other guy has a well developed feminine side so he doesn't bat an eyelid to running bras and the like. I didn't do intervals this week so you're not alone. Your pace is just fine. Have a good running week.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - as I work from home my lunchtime runs are a little easier. Sort the dog out and head out .. my last lunchtime run ended with me sitting back at my desk speaking to someone whilst dripping from a very quick shower!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Congratulations on the 5 miles... exactly my kind of run... I did 6.04km the other day 😂!

This week I have 6.84k, then the week after 8.05k!

[Hidden]

Great to hear from you Richard, so glad you are doing well and enjoying yourself. You made me chuckle actually, when I ran this morning along the towpath, I passed so many people I just couldn’t face turning round and seeing them all again, so I adjusted my route lol

Thank you for all your support to me on Strava too, much appreciated

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I never used to enjoy doing Hobbit runs but have found they make life much easier for me especially on the longer runs. I did research a route that allowed me to break off the canal and come back by the road route but then decided the canal was much nicer.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

My favourite route for longer runs isn't quite 5k in one direction, so my graduation run was 4k out, 1k back, 1k out and 4k back - the people I passed 4 times while doing the shuttle running bit looked extremely confused by the last occasion

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

I think you deserve extra Kudos 👍👍 just for working that out during your run .. have me a good laugh reading this though.

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Sounds like an excellent run, well done 👍

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

Well done Richard, good distance and pace. 👍 Canal towpaths are great for meeting people, and it's so nice when someone gives encouragement.

I feel honoured that you should go out of your way to keep the imperialists among us happy. 😉

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Sandyscroll]

Ha ha you are so welcome. Not sure I will do the same for 6 miles .. when I get back to 6 miles 10k will be in touching distance. 😉

[Sandyscroll Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I'll accept 6.2 miles as a round figure in that case. 😁👍

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Sandyscroll]

Probably not until January. Hmm Jan 1st 2018 was my first 5k run. Maybe Jan 1st 2019 could be my return to 10k. Not going to push it though.