Streak is over but I'm still running!

It's been almost 2 weeks since the end of the 5km every day streak and while I've allowed myself some rest days but I'm still getting out there and running. Got no choice really as I've got to keep at it to get ready for a half marathon and marathon in the new year.

So today I ran the latest in the Brutal 10 series, this one at the Spider Hill course in Aldershot. I woke up to torrential rain, and it probably tells you a lot about the type of running I like the most when I say I was pretty happy about that. I knew it was going to be a wet course anyway with a few mud and water crossings so as far as I was concerned the downpour was just another feature of the course. Turns out that not many people were put off by the weather as there were around 450 other people taking part today.

I've run about half a dozen of these events now all on different courses but all equally tough in their own way and one thing I noticed today, it being the first once since I finished the 31 day 5k streak was how strong I felt. There were a couple of people who I recognised as being usually on about the same pace as me who I breezed past. I also finished comfortably inside the top 50% which was a first for me. Guess there was something in this streak then.

These Brutal events are really well organised and great value so if you are in the area and fancy trying a tough fun trail run these events are ace.

Oh and special mention to the bloke who got headbutted by a deer. That doesn't happen at Parkrun!

I've bloody done it!!!! 31 of 31 - Lost in the woods on Halloween

Remember yesterday when I said I'd have to go for the 200km for the month goal? Bloomin' well did it too. Not quite in the way I expected though.

So I set off at a relaxed injury avoiding pace planning to do yesterday's loop in reverse which would just get me to the 200km. At some point I remember thinking "hmm these hills seem much steeper in this direction" still I was feeling good and 5k from the 200k goal I selfied it up...

That hill was loads steeper than it looks. The rather demented face is because I've just run up the other side of it. Had I realised I was about to head off on a random detour of hilly hell I would have looked even madder. Probably something like this

Anyway run challenge complete. Achievement unlocked. 204.33km run which is just shy of 5 full marathon distances.

Time now for a couple of days rest. To those who have supported my effort with a charitable donation I thank you, it really has helped to keep me going. To those who thought about it but didn't get around to it there is still time, just visit my Just Giving page, it's quick and easy to do. Click the logo below.

Although I'm not planning on running 5k every day for a while I do need to keep working on my running as I've signed up for a half marathon in February and a full marathon in April next year. I'm also wanting to see how much I can improve my local Parkrun time before the end of the year. If anything interesting happens in pursuit of these goals I'll post about it here.

And finally if anyone fancies trying something similar why not leave a comment on this blog, I'd love to hear about it.

Run 30 of 31 - One day left and a new goal

I went well beyond my 5k goal today as is generally the case when I head up into Swinley Forest for a run. I actually covered a 12.5k loop and recorded a 10k personal best in the process.

Now I've run just over 188km this month with one day left. If I do a similar loop tomorrow then I'll have hit a nice round 200km for the month. I'm going to have to do it aren't I?

29 of 31 at the spooky parkrun

Good news. Maps are working again which means it recorded my PR on the Bracknell Parkrun sprint finish hurrah! It was pretty spooky with little vampires and witches jumping around in the woods which might have had an influence on my time.

Also check out position 1 on the most miles run this week leaderboard for the Bracknell Parkrun group on Strava

That's right it's the only first place I'm ever going to see as a runner so I'm taking it. And in keeping with the halloweenie vibe look at that elevation gain.

Remember friends I'm not just doing this for the good of my health, well I suppose I am but also I'm hoping to raise a small amount of change for Cancer Research UK. If you can spare even a pound or two it all helps. Click on the Cancer Research logo below or in the sidebar to make a donation through my Just Giving page. Thank you for your support you lovely people xxx

Run 28 of 31! 3 to go!!!

Ran from Goodge Street to Shepherds bush. Garmin chucked a wobbly again though so no map and it looks like a treadmill run.

Top tip of you have a similarly afflicted Garmin device and you track a run but get no map showing in Garmin connect or Strava. Turn your watch off and on again. Good job I work in IT.

27 of 31 nearly done son

Wasn't feeling quite so fatigued today so I got to my usual run commute station at 5.2km and decided to see how far it was to the next one. Guess at that point my body just thought "oh ffs he's not going to stop I might as well shut up moaning and let him carry on" as the extra distance was a breeze.

Apparently I recorded it as a treadmill run somehow. No idea how that happened.

Oh bloody hell what have I done?

Despite how much of a struggle this running challenge is in the final few days I know myself well enough to realise that there are two paths I could take when it ends next week

1. I think "thank god that's over, what a stupid idea that was" and go back to barely running at all apart from the odd Parkrun.

2. I take a day or two to rest and then divert this newfound "love" for running into a new fitness challenge.

I'll take option two. Goals. I need them. Good news everybody, I've found them.

February 2017 I'll be doing my first half marathon, the Thorpe Park Half

And then a couple of months later in April 2017 I'll be heading down to Brighton to run my first full marathon!

Goals. I got 'em. This should be enough to keep me running over the winter.