Delia's Christmas cake-fuelled run...

[Tikiczocky]

...and given the size of the slice (and other oodles of goodies consumed over the festive feasting period), there's soooo much more fuel in the tank than a 30 minute, 4.3k trot could use up!

Last Christmas (or any other one, for that matter), I would never have thought that I would go out running on Christmas Eve & Boxing day...I really enjoyed this week's 30 minute trots with my dog, though (a bloomin' chilly one today, with a beautiful thick hoar frost).

My average pace, without too much pushing, is now around 7 min's per km...and today it felt almost comfortable (still run/walking). There were loads of folk and other dogs out for a walk, so threw in a bit of fartleking (or something like) and longer run intervals to avoid stopping to sniff other dogs and obstacles!

I love getting out for that run...just me, my dog, our thoughts...me on mundane stuff, Olive probably on 'bird, dog, leaf, stick'...repeat!!

Looking forward to 2015 and what it has to bring...in the meantime, pork & stuffing sarnie & some pud!!

Hope you've all had a fab festive time and managed to squeeze in a run, or two!

[aliboo70]

Olive's mind sounds alot like George's , though he was just in a" lets get back and out of this pouring rain" mood today so not much else crossing his mind! I haven't made it out for a run yet, but will be at parkrun tomorrow, trying desperately to wear a few calories off! Heres to a great 2015, my 1yr of starting running is on 2nd Jan well done on your Christmas runs, you have done lots better than me!

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Congrats on the 1 year anniversary!! Great that you are still running!

[Caroline69 Graduate]

I too loved my Christmas eve and Boxing Day runs... Kept me sane , what with family staying for a week, and feeding 10 hungry peeps every day !! My run this morning was cold, cold , cold but just beautiful.... More please! Xx

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to Caroline69]

Hia Caro! Oooo...I was just out enjoying my own bit of space, but might have run farther and longer if I had 10 peeps for a week!!

[Melayahm]

I managed run 1 of week 7 yesterday, (and it was pretty with all the frost on the fields). and felt proud of myself. Am going to try and brave the sales today, so that's a different kind of exercise!

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to Melayahm]

Well done on your w7r1...especially keeping atit over Christmas and in the cold. Have avoided the sales...no running budget left!

[hilbean Graduate]

Ooh sounds like we've all been having a lovely festive season Lovely post Tikiczocky and sounds like Olive makes great company

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to hilbean]

Thanks, hilbean! Yes...she's great to trot along with

[GettingFitter Graduate]

And Deer and Rico got a pigeon yesterday - insisted on carrying it all the way home parading his trophy to all the other walkers we met. Happy Xmas.

[Beads Graduate in reply to GettingFitter]

Much more interesting than the boxer that Fred and me saw on our walk, he was carrying a branch, though by the size of it it may have been a small tree!

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to GettingFitter]

Well, yes...probably deer in there somewhere, too! Gosh...Rico must be pretty swift and stealthy to catch a pigeon!!

I don't give Olive the opportunity to stray on my local runs....I run with her on a lead attached to my water bottle belt, as I run on roads and a popular local forest trail, mostly; plus she's a german pointer, so follows her nose if she gets a scent (she's a wide-ranger!!). The lead arrangement works really well, as she trots well beside me...I'm saving for a decent canicross-type lead & harness...getting my pace up first!

Hope you've had a good Christmas break GF!

[Beads Graduate]

We're slowly munching our way through our Delia's Christmas cake, it got fed well and is rather scrummy! Feed me, let me run, repeat, sounds good!

[Tikiczocky Graduate in reply to Beads]

'Tis the best ever cake recipe?! My daughter made it about a month ago and left it with us to feed when she went back away to work...very yummy and, unfortunately, we're quickly munching our way through it!!. I've been avoiding anything indulgent since last Christmas (aside from the odd celebratory feast)...it's not around for long though!!

[Tikiczocky Graduate]

Oh yes...squirrels...always great entertainment!