Checking In...

[ActonHighStreet]

Hi All

I'm on a bit of a high after 35 minutes in the company of Laura so I thought I'd check in. Thanks to everyone for all their inspiring stories and posts - looking on here for a few minutes is always good for the soul.

Two stories this week: Firstly, I was out on my long, sloooow run last week (12.3 miles if I can say that without boasting) when I did something very, very stupid. About a mile from home and feeling very tired, I zig-zagged through a level crossing while it was shutting. I'm not proud of it and I did check to make sure that no kids were watching before I did it. Jogging back on to the pavement on the other side, I was surprised that the drivers waiting in their cars (including a well-known television actor), rather than giving me dirty looks, were waving and giving thumbs up as if I just done something clever. I think that actually made me feel worse, to be honest.

This morning I went out in the sunshine for my usual Tuesday run - the C25K+ Stamina podcast and I'm not sure I've ever enjoyed running fast(ish) that much before, it was a really, really good run and I beat my previous distance by quite a bit. I think the secret was that I went out running for the first time in an actual running vest (!) - I don't think I've left the house with bare arms since 2002 previously. I might not have an athlete's physique, but running with a vest on gives you a shadow that looks like a runner, which I'm sure helps lift the spirits on a subconscious level.

Finally, as per Bazza, here's a quick post-run selfie from earlier:

Well done to everyone who ran this weekend and keep enjoying your running,

AHSx

[Peter_B Graduate]

Go on...which actor was it?

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Peter_B]

Slap on the wrist for that Acton! Don't do it again!!

Glad you enjoyed your run. You're doing ever so well. Got your vest on already! It's flippin taters here, not vest weather at all. Sigh

[ActonHighStreet in reply to misswobble]

Yes Miss!

I'm sure it's unfair to name the well-known actor, comic, children's author and charity swimmer here on a public forum but if he's ever asked to front a Road Safety campaign I may be forced to speak out.

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to ActonHighStreet]

David Walliams ?

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Nice to 'meet' you AHS.

[poppypug Graduate]

Ah, lovely photo Acton, it looks like youre in jail , quick ! someone's left the door open, run for it haha

Sounds like you had a good run this morning and with bare arms too ! I think there is a bit of a North-South divide today, cos here Ooop North it is chilly in the wind .

Oh and a smack on the back of the head for dodging the level crossing - D. Remember kids, don't try this at home .

Oooh fancy seeing David, Aw, Im glad you made him smile, hes had a pretty tough time lately xxx

[old_git Graduate]

Nice post AHS, impressed by that distance! Are you in training for anything specific?

[ActonHighStreet in reply to old_git]

Not really, no - I've entered a couple of 10ks over the summer and a HM in September but I'm more "enjoying running longer distances" than I am "training" if that makes sense?