25 – 31 January 2021. “The Chrunicles of Narnia: The Lirun, Stitch, and the Rundrobe.”

As fun as it was to run in the snow last week, it was somewhat satisfying to watch my snowman melt over the following days, signifying when it would be comfortable – and safe – to run outside again! In tandem with the paths becoming clear, it seems as though the evenings have gotten lighter quite quickly, allowing some flexibility with my running schedule.

That said, it’s crazy how slushy the park was early in the week, making for a muddy outing. But, it surprisingly provided some nice scenes, notably a thick fog over the park lakes. Strangely, there were far fewer runners out than there were when it snowed! Is it the sense of adventure, perhaps of new experience, that beckons runners out into fresh powder?

With the threat of a snowstorm this weekend along with multiple virtual meetings, I was prevented from a last-minute half marathon. Having ran them regularly pre-lockdown, I aimed to run at least one per month since then but many an excuse got in the way. That’ll teach me!

Nonetheless, I had a fun run this week: wanting to get a run in before snowfall became worse, I went at fast pace for four miles. Although it was still off my previous marathon pace, it was liberating to tap into my inner speed, having found little use for it due to the lack of races. Then I had the same sensation a day after, at the end of a jog, springing into speed after a leisurely 58 minutes.

You’d think a year without races would have quelled my spirit, but let’s face it; this is who I am! Do you still have the same motivation and reason for running as you did at the start of lockdown, or has it changed?

18 – 24 Jan 2021 “Frosty the Snowran.”

It’s been said that running in rain makes you more of a badass. So how much of a badass am I to run in snow? I’d say an awesome one! How have you gotten on with snow running?

Another busy week (what is it about this month?) meant that I didn’t get to go out as often as I would’ve liked, with just four runs. Nonetheless, they were all productive and my infrequency got me to do some stretches to make up for it, which can only be good.

Cool as ice!

I’d planned on a 10-miler this morning, but as the first words I heard were “it’s snowing!” I knew it wasn’t happening. Which is odd, as I’d gone to bed about 2am last night and there was no indication of any adverse weather! But even if I couldn’t do 10, it would take an Arctic blizzard to stop me going out entirely. So with a jacket and cap, I braved the cold outdoors (later wishing I’d brought sunglasses as well). Despite intending on taking it easy, I had to smirk as I ran faster than cars driving gingerly! It was then that I checked my watch and noticed I was at sub-7 pace.

It’s snowing, man. It’s okay to take it easy today.

There’s something about a snowy landscape that changes its personality; more hazardous, yet with a Victorian-esque magic. Sometimes, even it feels like running somewhere new; familiar routes look slightly different, with turns hidden or appearing out of nowhere. Surely despite the cold danger and awkward navigation I’d be alone out there? Nope! I counted a whopping 25 other runners out before I stopped counting, each incredible in their own right.

Of course, that also didn’t stop a volume of walkers from getting out – and still getting in my way!

You’re a black man wearing shorts in snow. I wouldn’t criticise.

All in all, a pretty fun run. Still, if Hawaiian temperatures were to hit tomorrow, I wouldn’t complain…

11 – 17 January 2021 “Blockdown.”

Cancel culture has reared its head again. No, not with deactivating Twitter accounts, but with yet another race deferral; the Silverstone race which had been postponed from last November to February has now been rescheduled for October. The week after London Marathon no less, and the same day as Manchester Marathon and Birmingham half. As Ned Flanders might say, this is a diddly of a pickle! Go hard at London and hope my legs have recovered for the week after? Easy at London and go hard at Silverstone, bearing in mind that even a 26.2 mile jog can prove draining? I’m not privy to the organisation or with experience of such, but I’d like to think that a secluded, wide road with no traffic or residential concerns would be in a better position than most to hold a Covid-safe event. Well, at least I’ll get to celebrate Valentine’s Day again. What, restaurants will probably still be closed? Dammit. <gripe over>

General busyness and continued recovery has gotten in the way of running this week, accumulating only 30 miles. On the plus side, my ankle feels 100% fine now so I guess there’s no excuse for staying in. No matter how cold it is outside! Regularly having to choose between thick, Arctic-style gloves or thin running-specific ones has become the norm (my fingers freeze up at the slightest dip in temperature), but at least it’s stopped snowing for now. Still, it doesn’t seem to have deterred the vast majority of runners; hopefully the annual January increase of newbies will remain (they need a nickname; “Resolution Runners?”)

That said, it’s uncanny how populated the park has gotten, reminiscent of a Saturday afternoon in the city centre. Swerving past path-hogging groups, dodging dog leads, evading the inattentive… proves to be a frustrating running experience. Perhaps the time has come to diversify my routes a bit more to avoid the crowds, or try again with early morning runs. Hmm, a push in the new year to try something different? I guess I’ll become a Resolution Runner 🙂

4 – 10 January 2021 “Running Is Our Therapy.”

(Note: title borrowed from a running club)

In a world of turmoil, isn’t it great to be able to just lace up and run out? While the calamitous events of 2020 escalate in 2021, running seems to be the one of the few constants which allow us to switch off from the world (ironic, given that we’re physically in it more). The inability (or at least, inadvisable) to read media, work emails or other material while running forces us back to a kind of reset of our day and mental state.

How unfortunate then, that a slight foot injury has kept me more housebound than usual this week! I’m not sure of the cause, or even the symptoms (it feels like an invisible bruise), but flared up as I started each run. An intended test run on Friday lasted less than a minute, but was manageable on Saturday and almost-ignorable on Sunday. Such a start to the year – low mileage, few runs, blistering cold – would normally bother me, but I’m taking it in my stride (pun intended!) and just enjoying the runs when I can without monitoring pace or even distance.

Despite the dip in temperature and stricter lockdown, it’s been refreshing to see a good number of runners out and responsibly distanced. I’d wondered quite a while back if increased running would be a fad or permanent, and it seems to lean towards the latter. Despite everything going on, it’s my hope that newbies experience the zen-like calm that comes with running.

Right, now to write this blog. Open internet browser… oh my life, what’s going on with the world now?

28 Dec 2020 – 3 Jan 2021 “New Year Please.”

*peeks from under the covers, checks watch*

Happy New Year! Probably. You know what, I won’t jinx it! Anyone have any celebratory runs for the end of 2020 and start of 2021?

Me, I was content to have ran just basic miles to exactly reach my goal of 2,555. But from conversation and various social media, extra kudos needs to be given out for those who achieved over 3,000 (one guy I spoke to – who I coincentally saw as I started out and made for a fun run – was over 4,500, plus 2,500 by bike!) While it’d be nice for me to reach such lofty goals, I’m already off to a slow start having not gone out on New Year’s Day and a pain in my foot cutting short my run today. But who knows how the rest of the year will turn out?

On the flipside, I had a fun (even if chilly) time crafting and running a Strava Art on Christmas Day (and thanks to all who kudosed and commented!) It was slightly frustrating that one can no longer create a route on Strava without being a subscriber, but Google Maps was sufficient for this short endeavour. Now I just need to think of one for Easter…