Keep on running by harrietemma

Well it's been a while - again - but I am determined to be back and to keep blogging.  I need the support and the interaction and I automatically start composing my posts when I am running anyway.

Had a bit of a break from my long run up to half marathon training as I got a nasty gastric bug about a month ago.  It was really vile; I forgot how terrible you can feel.  I have to be very careful how quickly I get up and about after being unwell so have taken it steady and just been aiming for three 30-min runs a week until I felt really back to normal (was going to say 100% but that never happens for me so it would be a long wait!).  Then of course the snow came.  I did manage a run last Tuesday in the falling snow but it was still shallow enough for me to be able to pick my feet up.  It was wonderful actually because it was so quiet and beautiful.  Then Wed/Thurs/Fri were write-offs exercise-wise - couldn't run outside and couldn't get to the gym.  Nothing stops me from getting to the post office two doors away to buy chocolate though!  I did have some great walks with Alfie who thinks deep snow (up to his middle) is fantastic!

Luckily the roads were ok by Saturday to get to cardio kick and on Sunday I started running again.  Very muddy and frosty, Alfie and I arrived home covered in mud but happy!  He is having a problem with puddles now that the ice is here though.  He loves puddles normally and goes out of his way to run through them.  I keep him away from the nasty oily ones on the road but in the fields they are fine.  Anyway, now they are covered with ice he has tried to run through them but ends up cracking the ice and falling through instead.  What a shock for him!  I noticed when we went out for a run this morning that he is starting to wonder whether to avoid them.  It was really stunning this morning, all still and frosty and not to slippery if you choose your path carefully.  Didn't go too far, about 3 and a quarter miles over 37 mins, all a bit slower because of the conditions underfoot.  But I am so grateful to be able to run that distance comfortably, despite having been poorly, and now I just need to start building it up again.

First we have the Santa Fun Run on Sunday though.  Last Sunday was supposed to be the Chelmsford one which was cancelled due to weather, so the Chelmsford people are coming to us which means ...more Santas!!!  I am looking forward to it because it is so pressure free, such a laugh and a very good way to spend a Sunday morning.  Just hope the weather will be ok.

Kevin was 15 last week.  Can't believe it!  I ought to really as he is now towering above me.  He is also adding to his musical repertoire by learning the harmonica.  Very laudable but it is getting a bit much.  He never does things by halves!

Fingers crossed for decent running weather.