It's been a bit of a while since I wrote up a run.
I have been running, but not as often or as far as I'd like. I had been very regular at parkrun.
Just not this weekend. I overslept.
Much of October had been taken up with planning, preparing and performing a drama-concert which was the most technically complex production our small amateur dramatics society had done in years. We did it. It went down very well. However, I was totally drained at the end of it. I spent much of last Sunday dozing.
I missed the lull in the weather we got in the NW as the eye of storm Ciaran passed over us. I was in the middle of a difficult work problem and couldn't find the time. Two runs in the week and one long walk.
And the watch (currently with beta firmware) says I'm "unproductive". Its reckoning of my VO₂Max has dropped a fair bit.
Staying with my parents in Aberdaron, the weather yesterday was horrible, but this morning was bright and sunny. I got up reasonably early but faffed about a lot. I eventually got out of the door at 10am.
Winter kit: two layers of long sleeved tops, running undies (for decency), running tights, gloves and a cap. It was really nippy out, with a chill breeze, and I was glad of the tights.
The route I was on had options to bail out with a 5km run, a 7km run, or continue for the full 10km, all on the back roads.
When I got out, mum's morning care crew were just arriving.
Out onto the road and start the warm up walk. Even three plus years after graduating C25K, I still do the five minute warm up walks (except for parkruns).
The route starts with a flattish bit, during which I organise my podcasts and start the backup GPS recording on my phone. The watch beeps for the end of the five minutes and I start to jog. Then a Z-bend and a slight downhill followed by a stiff climb to a junction.
I took it slowly. I've definitely lost some condition over the last quarter. The next bit was a more gradual climb up to a group of houses at the top. The run-off water from yesterday's persistent rain was draining across the tarmac in many places.
There were a couple of corners at the top. After the second one a little lad wearing a helmet was playing out on a bike in front of a bungalow. As I passed I called out, "Bore da! Good morning." The lad gave me a puzzled look and said nothing.
The next bit was relatively flat but undulating. I passed the turn for the 5km route and continued on. A car pulled out from a side opening. The driver waved back at me.
The next turn on the right took me to some farm buildings and a left bend. The road became gritty and wetter. A right turn at the end and past the place we'd stayed at two years ago. Beyond that was a long slog of a climb for about 1km, up to the corner of the forest. In previous runs on this course I'd had to pause a few times to get my breath back, but my slower pace today kept me going.
Another right turn and on a wider, busier road. By busier I mean I saw two cars. After a downhill stretch of about 1km I turned left at the crossroads. If I'd not taken that turn I'd have done 7km.
This bit had a straight stretch which looks level when you're in a car, but definitely isn't when you're running it. Then a dip and a steady climb to the abandoned school. At the highest point I did have a short drop to walking for about 20 seconds.
The next bit, about 2km, was mostly downhill but with a few short uphill bits. I could hear the gorse in the hedges cracking and spreading its seeds. Another crossroads, another right turn, a deep dip and a climb out of it. Then mostly flat to the end of the 10km.
I walked for about 8 minutes, took a photo, then got the urge to run again. Only about 500m this time. A tractor pulled into a hedge to let me past. I gave a thumbs up as I passed and shouted "Diolch yn fawr". (It's a predominantly Welsh-first area.)
I arrived back just as the carers were finishing off. It's the first time they've seen me leave and come back.
The 10km took 62'06", actually faster than I was expecting. The watch still says I'm "unproductive" and demands lots of low aerobic time.
Hopefully we're over the worst of the all-day rain and I can squeeze in some more regular activities.
)
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
