What I've not been particularly happy about is how inconvenient running is in the winter. It's either outside in the freezing cold, often raining and often dark, or inside on the treadmill which is almost always boring.
With this in mind, apart from a couple of (very muddy) Parkruns, I've barely ran at all since Xmas. Instead, I've been mixing it up with weight training, swimming, or being far too busy to worry about any of it. And this was absolutely fine until last week it quite suddenly dawned on me that I only had six weeks until my next race.
I've had this one booked in for a while and it's fair to say I'm really looking forward to it. It's around the city centre of Nottingham taking in quite a few landmarks in the world's best city!
With my excitement of my first race in months, I put my thoughts to turning Sunday back into my long-run day and upping my pace to chase that magic sub-60 on the 15th May.
After a disastrous mid-week treadmill 5k, by the time I was settling myself down to bed last night I was a bit nervous for the my run this morning. I can almost cope with one bad run, but two in a row and I feel pretty miserable with myself for a good few days.
Despite this, for whatever reason (either the sunshine or the 11 hour sleep, I suspect) I sprung out of bed full of confidence, with a really positive attitude and looking forward to a trot around the Embankment. I had decided in my head that I was taking it steady, my Sunday runs need to be more about upping the distance in my legs and less about speed, I'll save that for the boring treadmill slogs.
Normally, I'm very much a head down, ear phones in and get on with it type of runner. Apart from the occasional half smile at a fellow runner I don't make eye contact with anyone other than maybe a passing dog (I can't help but look at them).
Today was different though. I looked at everything, really taking it all in. It was difficult not to. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the trees are just starting to look green and lush again. All up and down the river there were families, couples, people taking in the British springtime. A dozen different sporting activities, both in and out of the water. Something to look at everywhere.
So as I approached the City Ground, I couldn't help but do something I've not done before, but will definitely do again! I got my phone out and took a picture. I ended up taking quite a few on my route around, everything looked so lovely and it seemed a shame not to (I love taking photos!)
I think today, at the risk of sounding overly cheesy (just like photos, I do love a bit of cheese), I really fell in love with running again. It's been a long winter, I've struggled quite a lot with my running and I'm very scared at the thought of the half marathon looming in the distance. But today I really felt like I am capable. I went out with the intention of doing 7.5km and came back with 8.7 under my belt, which I'm really chuffed with.
So it's now five weeks until Nottm 10k, and I'm more excited than ever! And that distant yet looming half marathon is going to be no trouble!
This has been a lot longer and more waffly that I'd planned (I'm sure I say that on every post!) So as a thank you for getting to the end, here are my lovely photos from today!
