Saturday's run was done on the treadmill in my garage gym due to the dark, cold icy and snowy conditions that hit Northumberland. While physically easier for me to run on the treadmill with my current fitness levels, it's mentally really tough. I managed 3 episodes of Stranger Things series 4 which helped pass the time somewhat. Despite the sub zero temperatures, I was quite warm in the garage and only needed 2 layers and no hat or gloves. A time of 03:15:48 was the quickest I'd managed so far. It's very early days though and indoor and outdoor running isn't comparable in my opinion.
Onto Sunday and the plan was to run from home to the Newcastle v Crystal Palace match. I switched my shoes to a pair of Adidas trail shoes. I'd never ran in them before. I bought them due to the good amount of padding they provide my feet. They've really helped my recovery after the damage caused running across the USA last year.
I set off just after 10:30 and made my way on the safest route possible. I managed to get a little but of traction on the path and made my way west through Nedderton and Stannington.
I was able to run on the road after the Little Chef at Stannington. Of course, it's a curry house called Char Mausem these days. It'll alawys be the Little Chef to me. We used to stop there on the way to our caravan at Seahouses when I was a boy. I can even remember where we used to sit. I used to love getting a fold out map of the UK and a lolly at the end of the meal. That would have been the second of sometimes three stops on the way to the caravan. My Dad would have had a pint in the Mill House near Washington and then at a pub further north into Northumberland. Which, incidentally, I've never been able to find again. Anyway, I digress. I made it though Stannington and onto the road that runs parallel with the A1.
Once again, I felt nice and warm despite the sub zero temperatures. Cruising at 4 mph felt very comfortable indeed. This may appear slow to any half decent runner but it's all I'm able to do currently coupled with a focus on tomorrow's run and the day after and so on. The quicker times will come I'm sure.
I noticed a sunflower at the 7 mile point. It's a synbol that is used by St. Benedict's Hospice of course.
Miles 4-7 were all on road and it felt good to get away from the slippery paths. The oncoming traffic gave me plenty of room and I made it to Seaton Burn in decent time.
The remaining 6 miles through Wideopen and Gosforth were all on paths. It seemed that the snow had been well trodden there and it was treacherous underfoot. With half a mile to go, Donna passed me in the car. After 03:28:12 of running I met her at the finish line (our usual match day parking location opposite the Town Moor). I had a quick change of clothes and we walked a mile and a half to St. James Park. It was nice to have finished the run early in the day.
I'm writing this blog at the end of day 5. I've just managed another treadmill half marathon. It was another tough one mentally. I managed to watch the final 2 episodes of series 4 of Stranger Things to help pass the time. Thanks to the treadmill setting the pace, I finished in 03:14:07.
I didn't start the session until after 6pm. This is a good 2 hours later than I would normally hope to do this one. Usually, Órlaith would be in doggy day care on a Monday. She is off for 3 weeks though due to being in season. So once Donna came in from work, I wad able to stand down from looking after her. Although, she didn't take much looking after today, as she's slept for most of it. A dog's life! When we get back to normal, I'll be able to do the Monday run a lot earlier.
Tomorrow will be another late start and I may end up on the treadmill again. Wednesday will be a run around Gosforth and the Town Moor before another Newcastle match. Thursday may well be a run home from work (weather permitting as I'll have a computer to carry).
Thanks again to everyone who has made a donation to St. Benedict's Hospice so far. If you'd like to do so then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.
