Less than a mile to the Scottish border ! Nearing the end of the Pennine way now, only 26 miles to go. Wait ...... only a marathon to go !! Well, I’m a long way off a marathon and even my half marathon plan has been put on hold. 🙁 Today I was meant to run 12 miles (19.3km) but a calf pull earlier the week has put paid to that. However maybe it’s a good thing because I really struggled with the 10 mile / 16k mark, though I did it, jeffing that is.
So today I went on a long walk in the rain instead - great philosophy podcasts downloaded (I find them completely absorbing but I’d never sit at home and listen !), watch, phone, earbuds charged, Waterproof jacket, trousers, hiking boots, hat - only forgot my gloves, didn’t I 🥶 freezing wet hands, lovely. There again, seems neither my jacket nor boots are waterproof anymore. After about 6km I had to stop to wait to cross the road and noticed the unmistakeable squelch of sodden socks between the toes. Lovely ! At least they were warm and squelchy 😜
At about 8km I was in my element, walking along fast and feeling strong, made me realise how much more stamina I have since I took up running. Or maybe it was the snickers that I practically inhaled at 7k. Or maybe it’s because I’d had enough philosophy and had switched to Kylie Minogue 💃🏼 (a different kind of philosophy !).
Around 10km got to my high spot - the photo - where I was last on 1st November (much prettier back then !). Treated myself to a hot mocha at this point - mainly to warm up my hands, but was a welcome infusion. And I was just thinking how my calf must be completely healed and maybe I could try a run tomorrow after all, as I’d had absolutely no problem whatsoever, when I suddenly had to make a bit of a hop & a jump to cross the road and ouch ! There it is. Obviously not a walking muscle then, clearly a running muscle and clearly not healed yet. Was a bit worried I was still 7km away from home and might have a problem getting back but it soon settled down again.
But around 16km I started to flag. Started to dream of warm fire and brandy in my hot chocolate (NB i don’t have a fireplace at home !). 18k mark was hit just as I reached home. I had thought about trying to extend it to 19.3 to at least meet my training plan target (albeit walking the whole way) and then thought ‘nah’. Am surprisingly tired now.
So that was jeffing 60:00:240 🤣 ie walking 60 seconds running 0 seconds and doing it for 240 minutes. Though that included a trip to sainsburies at the end.
I’m taking Jorgeruns example and declaring a holiday from running! Just a week, or maybe two who knows.... Garmin plan paused. Beach cocktails here I come ! 🏝🏖😎 🎷see you folks !
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
week 2 begins! 
