First Run of 2021 - Trying Out My Hi-Viz Top Santa Brought Me!

[Birdlady64]

I would have liked to have run yesterday - it being January 1st and all - but Mr B decided it would be a good day to bake some banana, maple and pecan buns and also turn the room we currently use as a study back into a bedroom and turn the box bedroom into a study. So lots of mixing, kneading and humping beds and wardrobes around ensued. Phase 2 - book shelf moving - is ongoing as I write 😁

I've also been feeling a bit flat for some reason or other for the last couple of days. 😐I don't know if it's after all the excitement of the Speed Challenge, and then the group Distance Challenge and obsessively trying to make "2020"s everywhere. Or maybe I should just stop watching the news for a while...

So, after a morning of sorting through reams and reams of old magazines dating back to 2006, I really wasn't really up for it this afternoon, but I knew I really needed to get out there and run. I'm back in work on Monday, and maybe it will be nice to go for a long walk with Mr B tomorrow. So I forced myself out about half an hour before sunset, leaving him indoors to have fun with his electric drill, screws and rawlplugs. 🔨 (sorry - couldn't find a drill emoji)

It was hovering just above freezing, but we've been lucky here with no snow and no ice to speak of. So what to wear? 7/8 tights, lightweight thermal base layer with my new hi viz top over the top, buff, gloves, and my trusty buff sun visor. It's not cold enough for a hat yet. I'm discovering that I run warm - trying to undo the zip of my thermal top when it was underneath another layer whilst wearing gloves and still running was interesting! The gloves came off a little while afterwards.

My legs just weren't playing ball today though and this was my slowest 5k for a while.

But I'm glad I went out. That's the first run of the year under my belt and I'm feeling much more energised, despite the sluggish pace.

It didn't get quite dark enough for me to properly test my hi viz top in car headlights along the main road, though a flash selfie on my cool down walk illustrates it will perform admirably, No excuse to not run after work for the next 2 or 3 months now! 😨

Back home, stretches done, and a cup of coffee with a toasted banana bun - not bad at all 😘

[damienair Administrator]

Very well done on your run and I must say your baking looks really delicious. Happy running throughout 2021.

Damien

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks. I needed that one to get things kick-started.The buns freeze well and used to be a post swim breakfast favourite - consumed on the train on my commute into work. Those were the days...

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Well done, Diane, for your first run of the year. The top looks good and those banana buns look delicious! Sounds like success all round. 👏👏👏😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia. It wasn't my greatest effort this afternoon but I enjoyed it. It's weird as leading up to Christmas I definitely felt like I was getting faster.

The buns are delicious and freeze really well. We didn't have any of the pecans or raisins the recipe dictates but chopped walnuts and mixed dried fruit were a good substitute.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

You were getting faster and will do again, I’m sure 😊 Enjoying it is the most important thing ! 👏👏👏

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Yes you are right of course. But you put in quite a turn of speed on that final split of yours - how you did that after 9k I've no idea!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Coach Bennett made me slow down for the second half of the 9th kilometre and then I took off the brakes and flew 😂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

back off a bit and finish strong - love that!

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

Great to be out there in 2021, let’s hope we can achieve the same or more in the coming year. Stay safe and enjoy. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️✅

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Echo those sentiments exactly! Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[nowster Graduate10]

This "not really feeling like it but going out anyway" thing seems to be contagious today. That's a very reflective top, too.

I run cool, but sweaty. Even with all the layers today I didn't feel as if I'd overheat. We're all different.

Good to start off the new year with a solid 5k run. 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

At least we went out despite not really feeling like it. Hopefully we've sent that packing by running today.The top is amazingly reflective. I'm going to have to run in the dark for a while once I'm back in work and I want to be seen. It amazes me how many people run along the road at night wearing dark clothing with very little attempt to make themselves visible.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I know! When I go out when it's getting dark, I'm always in fluorescent yellow, with reflective bits (see photo from a couple of days ago). I've also got a head torch because a few of the paths and the canal don't have any lights.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I've got a fluorescent yellow top as well it's supposed to have reflective bits but I don't think they work very well. It's great for road running during the day. It's quite lightweight so works unless the weather is really warm

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Firstly, I want some of that banana pecan bun. 😋

Secondly, I love your high viz top. No, I don’t need one (I never run in the dark and I have a perfectly good high viz jacket anyway .....). It looks very smart. 😀🏃‍♀️

It’s so hard getting out at the moment isn’t it? I’m heading out for my RED January run shortly but it’s looking mighty cold and windy. But I’ll go, as did you, as we’re runners! 👊

Hope the room shifting was/is on its way to being a success! 😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It's a nice top actually - looks good in daylight too.I hope your run was a good one - yes it's cold windy - and now wet here as well. Just as we were about to leave for a nice walk. Oh well - there's still some room shifting to be getting on with.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

That’s a super top birdlady. Is it a proviz one?

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks! Yes it is a Proviz one. I've not had any of their stuff before but it seems quite good,

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

Well done on your run. I will also be having to fit in runs around work now the holiday are over (about to go out now for first fun of 2021). I really like the new top. I need a reflective top as hate running in the hi vis vest.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thanks. hope your run went well. The top is from Proviz. They specialise in high visibility cycling/running gear - it looks quite nice in daylight too.

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Might just have a look now 😉

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

Well done for getting out there Birdlady, especially when you’ve been feeling flat for a few days. It makes that simple act of getting out the door so much harder.

The banana buns look like the perfect reward to come home to! 😋😋😋

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thanks. It's hard sometimes isn't it to make that effort, but always so rewarding when you do.The banana buns were lovely. There's a nice stash in the freezer now for future use! 😋

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Rearranging those rooms sounds like a workout in itself! 🏋️‍♂️ Your top looks great and so do those buns 😋

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Yes - its work in progress!The top is great - I like the pale blue and it looks good in daylight, as well as being reflective .

Most of the buns are in the freezer for future consumption 😋

[Lifluf Graduate10]

Nice top Birdlady. Well done for getting out there. The weather conditions are quite challenging at the moment aren't they. I don't run when it's icy but the gremlins are louder when it's winter and we've had such a weird Christmas time. Banana buns look delicious too - I make banana bread when the bananas go too mushy to eat 😋😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

I normally throw them in the freezer when they get too mushy and then use them in baking. The skins go black and they go mushy bit that's fine.It's definitely a bit challenging right now, but we carry on getting out there when we can, It's what we do isn't it?

[Lifluf Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Absolutely. There'll be better weather soon I'm sure. I'll be glad when the footpaths are less mushy too.