Alzheimer's Run The Year - January Update - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Alzheimer's Run The Year - January Update

25 Replies

Hi all you lovely people,

I promised I'd give regular updates on how I am doing with running the year in support of Alzheimer's Research. Well by end of January I had run 125.37 km, with only 1892.63 to go! Within the month I also ran my first ever 15km, and one day managed 21km in two runs (but that was stupid, immature, painful and I won't be doing that ever again)

Thanks to some help and advice on the Marathon hub from our usual array of supportive people (you know who you are!), I have some different ideas on how to take the challenge up. The usual C25K mantra of slow and steady, applies. I am trying to do a mini streak of limited kms each day to see how that works out and February is a test month, when I will try out various runs and distances. But so far, so good.

Today I took out Mr Smooth, to see the sights of London and collect three red squares on my Monopoly challenge. We did it and my write up is here:-

jancanrun.com/2018/02/04/4-feb

I had forgotten though that today was also the Winter Run in aid of Cancer Research and whilst I almost gatecrashed their event, I'd like to wish all the runners the very best for their run.

Coincidentally a street artist had chalked the Monopoly Board onto Trafalgar Square where the runners would be coming.

Thanks for all the support and good wishes from you all, it helps my motivation no end. And thank you to the anonymous C25Ker, who has donated to my fundraising. I can't tell you how delighted I am with that. I don't know which lovely person you are, but thank so very, very much.

25 Replies
SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate

Best of luck on your mini streak for February. It sounds like a very reasonable and doable plan to get in the many miles needed for your challenge. Go JCR Go!

in reply to SaskAlliecat

Thanks SaskAlliecat, I am running to a deficit at present, but slowly and steadily I will reel them in!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

A big, big challenge you've taken on Jan but for a very good cause and without any doubt you are up to it having made a great start

in reply to rolysmate

Thanks - It's a biggie, but hey nothing ventured!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to

Most definitely Jan, I'm thinking these old legs have got a 50k in them!

in reply to rolysmate

Newly found, snakelike hips and waist of course they have.

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to

not quite yet, a few more miles required yet

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Wow, Jan, I am completely in awe of you. I'm not entirely certain what a running streak is... I take it that it doesn't require removal of clothing????

in reply to Razouski

Running naked daily!... You better avoid coming down to London all this week, as I have another 3 streaking days to do... It might put you off your PCT.

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to

should make the 6.00 news though

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate

Jan's Jan ... your challenge is intimidating but it sounds really promising to try the new way of streaking! Love the synchronicity of the Monopoly board. The universe approves :)

Cheering you on from Cronx (where, if you're still looking for utilities, there's a now disused "Electric House" ... tourist run? It's only zone 5...)

in reply to icklegui

Electric mmm - well my Euston Road lead on EDF from Dr Google failed miserably - it was a shut down kebab shop! Found the waterworks, but the Electric House may need to be on my list - how far in kms is Zone 5 exactly?

Day 5 of the mini streak tomorrow - got to do another 6 or 7km, still I am hopeful that like on the C25K programme, on one day this year I will consider 6/7km to be like the 60 second run felt when I was in W9. I know I am utterly deluded..., still it's nice to dream!

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to

about 17-18 km? Which is now surely in your wheelhouse but perhaps not during the runstreak... there is, handily, a bus stop outside Electric House :P

Just googled electric house and got this swanky members club instead though electrichouse.com/ which might be a nicer destination! Or... does Camden still have an Electric Ballroom?

in reply to icklegui

Ooh not sure about Camden but I have been to the Electric in Notting Hill - and that is doable, but you're right perhaps not on the mini-streaking run. I will keep that one in my back pocket, in case I don't come across an Electric Company for real, before then. I think to be honest that's the only one I am struggling with. I have to track down HMRC for Supertax, but I think according to Dr Google that they are on Euston Road. But last time he gave me a Euston Road address it was rubbish, so I am not overly sure about them... But I have the yellows to do this coming weekend, as I leave the slightly longer runs til the weekend, when the pavements are quieter. The Monopoly board thing is quite fun, because it gives me something to focus on rather than how tired I feel. I'll let you know if I have to catch that bus!

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to

Hah - HMRC have just opened a new office in Croydon :)

The Monopoly challenge really is fun! As for your finding 6/7K as easy as the 60s felt by w9, I'm sure you'll get towards that, it doesn't seem like much of a delusion when people tick off 5Ks around here just like that!

in reply to icklegui

Thanks for your support, the 6/7kms I think should be okay, familiarity surely must breed contempt. But then I worry about that too, that if I get over-confident on the 6/7kms that is when I will fall over and get injured or have one of my famous 'stupid tart syndrome' moments...

Still I can bus to Croydon and tick off Supertax and HMRC at the same time... it's a possibility

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to

... I'd get a train to Croydon! Or indeed, out of it, as the jokes go.

A good point about complacency. Every km is an achievment and certainly not to be taken lightly - especially when they come after the hundreds you are doing. I just really wish you all the best.

(Also, I laughed at 'cat drop' below...)

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to icklegui

Yup, still there, still rocking. One of the last great venues.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Is anyone as determined & heartfelt as you??? I don’t think so Jan....you are just flippin fab & someone I look up to...I am definitely not worthy xxxxxxxx

in reply to Mummycav

Aha but you see you along with all the others on here make up the CAValry... I cannot run alone, I can only do it, because so many people support me! Notice the sneaky Cat drop there? ;)

in reply to Mummycav

cav drop - the pesky spell checker corrected me

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to

I did 😉 x

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

Jan, I'm sure you know, but still. Given you're after a distance, try and run long, flat interesting routes. Places like Hyde Park will entertain your brain, the time will pass quicker and with just 2 differently routed laps you can get to some serious distances. Even with the hordes and kamikazes on roller blades it's worth a spin. Just like Battersea Park, you can leave your car along the perimeter for free at weekends.

Very best of luck!

in reply to mrrun

Thanks for the suggestion it also counts as free parking then. Funnily enough after Monopoly I was thinking of doing the Royal Parks, although running kms in Green Park would be a stretch!

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

Use it as a 'scenic' warm up run ;)

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