Consistency returns for now.

I just finished my fourth 50 plus mile week. It's been tough fitting it all in but my motivation is consistency. To be a successful runner, or fit at anything, you need to be consistent.

tunnel along the canal

I've been looking back at my training diaries and pre-Superior 100 I was dead on consistent for at least 8 weeks (50 - 70 miles). Yeah life gets in the way and the miles fluctuate but in comparison to pre-Lakeland 100 (30 - 40 miles!) it's no wonder I had a shitty run at LL! It should've been expected, and kind of was.

The remaining summer will be a challenge. Moving into a new house, JKD phase test, sick kids, teething kid, inconsistent sleep, and a summer break for the daycare will all pose significant challenges to time management. In addition I really need to up the mileage on my long runs. Ideally I'd like to get in a few 18 - 25 milers back to back but in the time frame of training those runs may end up being at night. Fingers are still crossed the little dude will start consistently sleeping in giving me the early morning back (I'm not holding my breath!) but I need to be flexible and hope the wife is too. 

Photos are from a recent run towards Birmingham on the canal and an old loop I haven't done in a while. I rarely run the canal this way since you need to do a mile or so through town but I was reminded that it's worth it. Knocked out 15 miles with the little dude and had some great scenery. 

lock along Staffordshire Worcestershire Canal

The old loop I did was an easy 8 and has always been a nice run behind the Safari Park. The poppy fields weren't as good as I'd hoped but at least some of the footpaths had been mowed. Unfortunately one hadn't been hence the Strava title "Nettle Hell."  A new signed loop had also been put up with a tank emblem signifying the location of an old shooting range from WWII that housed American soldiers. 

odd mailbox!

And my favorite double take on the canal.  A U.S. Mail mailbox! Obviously the lettering is odd but also the shape of the mailbox is very foreign here!