Times like these all I think about throughout the day is my 4am alarm, putting my shoes on, and running. Sometimes never looking back, never stopping, never returning. Just run. 

Miles and new gear

This morning’s run finished off another three week cycle of increasing distance. Now for an easier week cutting back on miles before another three weeks of increase. The timing was good, the kids are off school, so I’m off work, so I’m relegated to morning running only. Higher mile weeks are much easier with my run commutes.

Door at Worcester Cathedral 

I set a goal of 2000 miles this year. Last year was the same but disappointingly with a week to go I came down with a fever and the “8 week cough” shut down my goal, I believe within 20 miles of accomplishing it! Then, I got “the cough” again, for yes, another 8 weeks! Fingers crossed and hands washed I hope to avoid that illness this year. So currently I’m 9 miles behind on hitting 2000. If I run 41 mile weeks the rest of the year I’ll get it. Theoretically I should be fine since I’m in the 50 mile plus per week range now. 

Last of the blackberries, no more snack breaks

Ran for the first time today in an Arc’Teryx Norvan jacket. I scored it off eBay for a decent price barely used, I believe it’s the first edition. It’s not the super pimp one with Gore Shakedry fabric, but it seems to be far more burly at minimal weight cost to the Montane Minimus I’d been using. I always felt like a bit “more” jacket could be nice in the shit-ass weather here. 

Color change

It pissed down on me for 5 miles or so. The jacket fit extremely well, as expected, and the hood, despite not having cinch cords, tracked very well with a visor underneath. It still makes the annoying scratchy fabric noise hard shells make. The zipper leaked a bit which I’d expected from reading reviews. Breathability? I don’t know. I hate that word when it comes to hard shells. I don’t think it really can be judged as effort and climate vary so much from person to place. I’m happy with it, however still want to try Gore Shakedry or the North Face Futurelight. These fabrics are wicked expensive so I’ll likely never get one, sure miss working in that industry and having access to them at affordable prices. 

Foggy run commute, River Severn, Worcester 

Another eBay score was a pair of Patagonia Strider Pro 7” trail shorts. I’ve got a few pairs of the 5” version and love them (I prefer the older models as they changed the liner fit in the newest version). I’ve got an eBay search saved for these and a pair of the 7” popped up last week. I prefer shorter shorts but figured for £12 brand new I’d give them a try, they’re usually £60! The outer short and pocket set up is the same as the 5” just obviously shorter inseam. I didn’t know but the liner isn’t a brief, like the 5”, but it’s more of a boxer brief style. I was hesitant at first but it’s just tight enough that it seems to get the job done. I’ve been curious about trying spandex type compression shorts to prevent leg chafing so this will be a good test I guess to start with. So far so good. The longer outer short took some getting used to as it brushes against your legs but no complaints. On with the testing!

Bus stop vandalism 

Photos are mostly from my run commutes to work and back. Nothing really special or exciting and most have been posted to my work social media accounts. 

Injury update: we’re holding strong. Still have plantar fasciitis but it’s only noticeable in the morning. I’m still trying to be diligent with strength and stretching so it’s slowly going away. My left knee has been bothering me, likely a mobility issue so trying to keep at stretching my hips. 

Into Perpetual November we go......

The season is settling in and it’s affecting my head as it does. I think of the past when I anticipated winter. How everyone around me anticipated winter. The smiles. The excitement. The stories of what was and what was to be. The community I used to be a part of. All that is gone now. 

Now it’s just me. I talk to myself about future plans hoping to keep my head up. Any race or training ideas I come up with all I consider is 1. I search flights for 1. I consider crewless aid stations and no pacers for races. I hope and wonder if I’ll bump into a random acquaintance during a race. 

Social media just brings me down as you see what it’s like to be a part of “the community.” Whether it’s within the mountains, trail running, or skiing. I miss the buzz of excitement that gets passed from person to person. 

Sometimes I think it’s my fault for not changing with the times. Is it because of my attempt to avoid social media? Should I be more social and open like the rest of the world via technology? It just seems like too much time staring at a screen typing, wasted time staring at a screen typing when I could be more productive; doing dishes, reading, stretching, playing LEGO with the kids, etc.....

After a stressful morning the moment I step out of the car and hit “start” on my watch I’m happy. Sometimes I’ll have a podcast on, sometimes the hardcore NYC punk of H2O. So thankful for my run commutes, they’re mostly consistent and I can look forward to them. As much as I love early 4am running; the alone, quiet, and peacefulness, they wear on me.  During my commute I see the same people most mornings: the old man who greets me with a comment, a huge smile and a nod, and the guy with the crazy huge happy white dog. They’re the most consistent, rain or shine. 

Afternoons are different and sometimes tough to motivate for, but I tell myself there’s no reason not to run. They’ve become a random meander attempting to avoid muddy trails and people as I shoot for five miles on my way back to the car. Some days if it’s slow at work and I get out early I’ll get up to 8 miles in. The afternoon commute can be stressful because I am on a strict time constraint but I manage, sometimes finishing off my run doing laps around a rugby field near the car. 

Today the kids are off school so I’m off work and likely off from running. Hoping to fit in a strength session today which is usually fairly easy as long as I tolerate the interruptions. Already at 40 miles for the week with a goal of close to 50, so doing well. On we go one day at a time. 

Had an easy last week of about 30 miles, slept well all week for the most part and didn’t do any early runs, only to and from work. Back to ramping up my miles this week though. 

Perpetual November is arriving. Rain and around 50 this morning. Didn’t wear my rain jacket or gloves so arrived home after 8 miles wearing a soaked wind jacket and hands near crab claw status. I still need to find a decent waterproof glove. 

Metal pulled from canal. People “fish” for goodies with a rope and hook.

Had some enjoyable runs in Worcester after work. Also got soaking wet from heavy rain a couple of them. One day it was slow so my boss let me go early. I managed an easy 8 miles back to the car exploring a bit more of the Birmingham Canal which was fun. 

Lock along the canal

Nothing exciting really, just gradually plugging in easy miles. Managing this plantar fasciitis which is gradually getting better. 

Starting to schedule more strength work focusing on muscular endurance so I make more of a consistent habit of it. Mostly easy leg work but adding weight to upper body stuff; pull ups, pushups, etc.. Adding weight and not going to failure trains your brain to recruit more muscle fibers, in return you add a ton of strength without adding mass. I’ll ease into the legs with this to avoid injury.

A brief post as I settle in mentally for the miserable season change!

The rain arrived this morning but with classes last night no early running for me. I had a fairly heavy day Monday. Ran 15 hilly miles and then 2 hours martial arts. I was hoping to sleep well but didn’t for whatever reason. Likely because the wife closed the windows so the bedroom was stagnant but who knows. I feel  pretty beat up from the past few days, add in ”life stress” and noise and all I think of is sitting in silence. No cats meowing, kids bickering, iPads making noise, just pure silence. High in the mountains would be nice, but I’d settle for a sauna too! Time to get the day started. 

Finished the week off with 45 miles. Taking today, Sunday, off. Been feeling alright but darkness has come and soon the colder temperatures and rain will arrive challenging progress.

Severn Way entering Worcester

The other day the Worcester bridge was clogged up due to protests so I parked a few miles outside of town and ran the Severn Way in to work. Nice little three mile run to, and then a couple extra miles  on my way back. Nice change of scenery but will likely be muddy in the winter.

I managed to get a new rain jacket off eBay. A super pimp Arc’teryx Norvan running specific hardshell. Very excited to test it out. Their products have always been top notch however anytime “waterproof breathable” is mentioned I become skeptical especially when being used for high output activity. Nothing ever breathes enough. Initial impression, the fit is awesome as expected, however the hood could use an elastic adjuster to cinch it up a bit. It’s really stripped down to save weight. It does seem though if using a hat underneath or visor the hood will “track” with your head turns which is good. The Montane Minimus I have is fantastic for hood tracking however the durability is low overall. I was really tempted to try a Montane Stretch Minimus to avoid the plastic bag noise you get running in a hard shell but the Norvan peaked my interest because it’s a bit heavier duty without adding weight. Thinking and dreaming of high mountain European races a stout jacket would be nice.

Rad spinning elbow photo!

Mid day I had my second Muay Thai grading. It went really well. Compared to JKD it’s a lot less nerve racking. It’s much more physically intense and less mentally exhausting. Of course there’s proper technique to all of it but a lot more hard fast hitting. You walk away soaked in sweat. I earned my orange armband and of course had a lot of fun. 

Lots and lots of Thai round kicks 

I wanted to improve my speed and reaction time and this seems to be perfect. JKD is much more varied in what you do day to day which is super fun. However Muay Thai is far more focused, I feel I get more practice on the basics. 

Back up to normal mileage just about. Have yet to run today and finish the week off but I’m at 39 miles and wanted at least 40 so I’m happy. The foot issue remains but I’m still hammering away at it. I understand that it can take time to go, I’ve accepted that and am doing the work. 

I paid for the Lakeland 50 so will hopefully race that in late July. I’d like to enter sine other 50km races as training races as well. It’s a good way to get miles in but we’ll see. 

The first week of both kids in school was exhausting but good. I can easily get an extra 5 mile run after work which is great. Theoretically I can run 18 mile days Monday through Friday if I want or need to. Saturday’s I could get in up to 21. That’s with working Monday through Saturday. It’s nice to see time opening up and become available that doesn’t interfere with family. I have big plans for training however some of these ideas will interfere with family which I don’t prefer however they’d have great benefits. 

So back to easy base miles, strength work, and chasing this plantar fasciitis. I’ve fallen off the JKD habit which sucks but have been practicing Muay Thai at home. It’s less complicated and easier to jump in with a short practice session when I’m tired. Too much to juggle I guess, something always slips. 

The Tor des Geants has been going on all week so I’ve been obsessed with training for it, curious what other people do. I get down and lose confidence when I see people who live and train in the mountains or are able to fly to Italy or France for four weeks to train. Must be nice. I think back to when I could’ve done that but I guess when I lived that life I took full advantage of it, at least I hope, doing other things. Either way I realize I’m older now and life has other challenges and just finishing one of these events is unreal. 

A few photos from recent runs.