RED FEB - Week one

[Shake-and-run]

For the last two years I have run every day in February. I always say I won’t do it again but by the time a year has passed I’ve forgotten why. So here I am, signed up for 29 (yes an extra day as it’s a leap year) days of dragging myself out the door in running kit no matter what the weather or how busy the rest of the day is!

One of the challenges is that without a rest day, you can get very tired and running on tired legs needs to be managed with care. This is more difficult for me this year as I’m spent the whole of January recovering from the lurgy so start the challenge more tired than I would like. The other challenge is motivation, but for bling lovers like me that is sorted by signing up for a virtual challenge with a medal. I also have some virtual buddies taking part.

Well the first week is done! Two track sessions with my club, a wizz around the Parkrun before marshalling, my weekly sunrise trot and gossip with TailChaser , a tryout at one of my club’s runs in heavy pouring rain (might do that again, without the rain) and 2 dashes around my local park. The longest run was just over 5k and the shortest 2k. There are a couple of bike rides in there as well!

I know that cheekychipmunks and Sandie1961 are also signed up for this challenge. I hope they are having ‘fun’ with it too!! Just 3 more weeks (and a day) to go!!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Sounds a lot of fun, without the rain of course, teeshirt and medal are always an incentive

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sue. No T-shirt but a nice medal to give me a reason to keep going.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

If it wasn’t for the bling I’d probably be less inclined to keep running every day, but for me it’s a no brainer Shakes! Counting the days! 😅

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You are doing amazingly Cheeky, keep going!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

That is a major commitment Shake-and Run, bling or no bling; no doubt the three of you will egg each other on. 2/3 degrees here today, with rain and sleet. I had a dental appointment so missed my run today; shame 🙄. It will be warmer tomorrow. Worked out well, save for the fact that I need to lose a wisdom tooth!😬

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ouch, sounds like bad news on the dentist front, sounds painful to mouth and wallet! Enjoy your run in the warmer weather when it arrives.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks….years since I had a tooth problem🤷🏻‍♂️

[TailChaser Marathon]

Nice one Shakes, I hope you have much better luck than I did last month. See you in the morning 😃

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Need you to keep me going xxx Thanks.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I had this idea of building back to 10k by the end of the month, as I did last year, but with the pain in my hip/glute, I will just be glad to get through it to get my bling 🤑 Another physio appointment booked for Monday. Hoping she won’t tell me to retreat to the IC 🤕

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Oh no Sandie, sounds painful, fingers crossed for good news from the physio.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous start! Go you!!! 👏👏👏

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda x

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Well done you!!! With this weather... any challenge is REALLY a challenge!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Floss. February can be an interesting month weather-wise. I just hope we don’t get much snow, attempting to run through drifts will be horrible.

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Shake-and-run 😍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thanks Wille x

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done Shakes. Having done the 12 days of Christmas, I know I do need my rest days, and I admire anyone who can run every day. Doing it at this time of year is hard too.

Keep on keeping on and I’ll keep cheering you on the sidelines.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you for your support Dexy, we need all the help we can get.

[Dendev75 Half Marathon]

wow that does take a lot of motivation - especially in February - as you say recovering from the lurgy and bitter cold and rainy days make us want to curl up indoors. Huge kudos to you all, you got this! 💪🏻

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks Dendev, there are days when it’s a chore, but 2k only takes me 15 mins and I go straight out the door and then back and in the shower. I lay out the kit the night before so I have no excuse. Doesn’t always work but it helps. Also having club activities and friends to run with is very motivating, you have said you will go, so you do! Fair weather with no wind doesn’t come often at this time of year, but fingers crossed for something like!!

[Dendev75 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Sounds like you’ve got a great group of running buddies and a good system getting ready the night before 👍🏻 right now you’ve motivated me to get my kit ready for tomorrow morning’s run 😉

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Have fun! RED months are hard work but so rewarding it's hard to resist isn't it. Bit cheeky adding an extre day to the month thus year though... Looking forwards to you week 2 report.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7, yes that extra day is a bit much. 😝

[Katnap Marathon]

You've got this! 💪🐱

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Maybe Katnap, maybe. It is hard, especially on days when I am also committed to other physical activity like leading bike rides.