Was it 5 or 6k today?

Who really knows, my usual uselessness with technology came to the fore - a pesky fruit phone that no longer synchs my music and seemingly has lost the tracking ability on the Map My Run App. So my warm up walk down the Slope of Hope was fine, except the mechanical voice lady of Map My Run was suspiciously quiet. Yup I'd lost her, never mind her absence was made up by an old lady on a bright yellow Vespa who slowed down as we met on the road to say Buon Anno Signora. No idea who she was, never seen her before, she did laugh rather manically, but maybe that was at my outfit.

Having had way too much Christmas food, drink and chocolate and fighting off some migraines (mmm I wonder if the overindulgence and the migraines are related?) I finally got out there today. And what a joy that was, sunny and bright - cold but not windy nor rainy and quiet on the roads. I decided to let myself in gently by choosing a downhill route. Aaargghh, MMR hasn't tracked a step, but seemingly I did my first 1k in 15 minutes and my second in just 5 when finally Mechanical Voice lady decided she'd talk to me. Okay I now forget the tracking part and just enjoy the run for running's sake.

And for those who struggled to see the running faith - there is a truism in the phrase Just Do It. By just doing it, I had a lovely, comfortable run of about 6kms I think and it was a perfect day to do it especially as Lou Reed was singing that it was a Perfect Day.

So to all my fellow runners, lapsed runners, injured runners, inspirational runners, recuperating runners, running runners, I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year.

And now I too will cackle manically on my way to a well earned shower!

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate]

Great run and a happy new year to you Jan.

[Hidden in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Thanks Chris - 201 is going to be tough with my Alzheimer's running challenge that's why getting out was important... Happy New Year to you and yours

[Hidden]

Love the tags that have attached themselves to your post!

I think just do it is a wondwrful mantra for running. I sometimes think that all the hoohah involved in getting my kit on, switching on my little yellow flashing light, strapping on my knee support, using my inhaler, setting my run on my watch etc defeats the object. I remember with fondness (and probably some considerable romanticism) the carefree runs of my youth when worn baseball boots from Woolies, or even bare feet, were enough and nobody had heard of having their gait tested.

Having said that, I think, if you are going to use the technology, there is something to be said for a proper wrist tracker, which need not cost a lot but will be far more accurate than your phone GPS and a running app.

Very much enjoyed your post, as I always do, and have a wonderful New Year xx

[Hidden]

Thanks I like the tags too - do you think cackling manically is a sign of mumps?

Sometimes it take me longer to get out of the house to go running than the actual time spent doing it... Assembling kit, doing all those prevaricating things you do before going out. My faff mouse is very good at getting in the way of running.

I take your point about free and easy running too - I am trying not to get caught up in the stats, but I have a 2018 fundraising challenge to do that requires monitoring of kms done, so reluctantly I am becoming more stat geekish!

Hope you have a lovely New Year and happy running!

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Happy New Year!!!

[Hidden in reply to ejvcruns]

And you too - had the shower now and am lovely and toasty warm, with runner's buzz of smugness!

[antet Graduate]

Happy new year! Thanks for your posts in 2017 which always made me smile / laugh out loud. And for Retro Runners too x

[Hidden in reply to antet]

My pleasure 2018 gets tougher!

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Heard a great one on the radio the other day that got added to my list immediately...Robert miles...children!! Bloody marvellous!!!

[Hidden in reply to Polly2810]

Oh I will check that one out too...

[Fishypieface Graduate]

I feel your tech pain! Map My Chuffing Run; Strava; Rundon'tkeeper; everything blinking else is useless and is always conking out mid run. I can see I will have to buy a watch of some sort, bah humbug! Anyway, here is to an injury free; tech-fault free Happy Running New Year! May 2018 be filled with running amazements!

[Hidden in reply to Fishypieface]

Agreed I hate them all- Happy New Year from Italy with Celebration playing😀

[Anthie Graduate]

Of course, we can run without all that tech support but I must admit how great it feels to be able to run on the music you like "What a perfect day" is another one we can add to the C25K music compilation.

Happy 2018, Jan, with a lot of wonderful achievements for your special Alzheimer's challenge!

[Hidden in reply to Anthie]

Thank you and here’s to a great 2018 with lots of perfect running days

[Theziggy Graduate]

What size of a data plan have you got Hidden

Sometimes it is good and less stressful to leave all the technology behind and just go for a run.

Happy New Year to you and yours

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

Unlimited data - but I think its a tech integration glitch. Because on my old fruit phone - lets call it a banana 5c the MMR synched to my music on iTunes, no sweat.

When I upgraded my banana to the more recent raspberry 6s or something or other (I think s stands for sh..y), all my music seemingly disappeared although it was still all there!

I used to work in technology and truthfully I loathe it - I'd be much happier with an Ancient Greek measuring man carrying an abacus running after me.

Happy New year to you too and happy running

[Razouski]

Fabulous post, had me chuckling. I’m a bit fragile after festivities yesterday, but determined to get back into my running routine this week. It’s all gone a bit pear shaped with the business of Christmas (as have I).

Happy New Year to you and good luck with your fundraising challenge this year. X x

[Hidden in reply to Razouski]

Hi Gill - I'm fragile despite being the nominated driver, how on earth can that be? But it is so easy to get out of the routine isn't it? And I am with you on pear shaped - I have developed some extra ballast, which is now on notice. And to the challenge of 2018 - as I opened my mouth way too quickly before actually doing the investigation on available runs, won't actually work. I am changing the challenge to something different - my plan is to run 2018km in 2018, and to get sponsored for that and it will obviously include the park run running down dementia, and then I have to hunt for 'real' races for Alzheimers. It's a little different to my original plan but I think that's allowable as it's about 40km a week which is more than double my usual level. So today is coffee toast, then chicken and veg. The cream tea habit (I know!) oh and the cherry liqueur chocolate pre-run stops today.

Travelling back to London via friends in Piemonte and France, neither of which are famed for diet food...

Good luck with your running. and hope to see you again in 2018

X