365 - Day 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27

At the start of day 22 I calculated that I'd ran 275.1 miles since starting the 365 challenge on January 1st. That's the equivalent of Gosforth to Wembley. It was also at the start of day 22 when my feet decided to join the "pain party". I seemed to have been lucky so far in that respect. However, the 38,000 steps the previous day (mostly in soaking wet socks) was responsible I believe.

I chose the luxury of running in my garage gym on the treadmill again on days 22 and 23. I remain convinced that having an indoor option has saved this campaign so far. A couple of nights on the treadmill and I've felt ready to tackle the elements again when the time comes. Times of 03:30:08 and 03:18:07 respectively were done.

I really wanted to start day 24's half marathon quite early. Sheer fatigue meant that I didn't set off until just after 3pm. The aim was to wind my way to Morpeth via Hepscott Park then back again via Stannington Station Road. I set off with numerous layers, gloves and a buff. I was managing that desired 4mph pace which meant the gloves and buff weren't needed. Warmth was the reward for some decent hard work.

I padded the mileage out by running round County Hall in Morpeth before heading back towards home. Darkness fell, once again, by the time I got to Stannington Station Road. That slowed me down a bit. The real blocker was having to wait for 3 trains to pass at the crossing.

I made up the lost time over the last 4 miles and finished day 24 in 03:15:52. That was the quickest outdoor half marathon of the 365 campaign. It was a decent route with only a small section of road. I think this will become a regular route from now on.

Day 25 was another treadmill effort. I didn't start running until just before 8pm. That was definitely cutting it fine! Needing some decent recovery time, doing the big shop and going to the match gave me no other choice. This was my slowest time for 10 days at 03:33:54. 

It was quite cold yet again but I couldn't face another indoor treadmill session. I decided, instead, to run into the heart of Morpeth and back. I was equipped with my new head torch.

My legs felt very heavy and I found it very slow going into Morpeth. I ran past a few bars and restaurant. Not for the first time during my running exploits have I looked on with envy at those people tucking into a nice meal.

I was glad a a minute of warmth as I ran through Sanderson Arcade. That was the turning point as I headed back toward home and up the hill out of Morpeth. When the street lights ended, I switched on my head torch. It was like running in day light! The photo below was taken at the path running southbound next to the A1. 

As per usual, there was a slight delay at the railway crossing in Stannington. I tried my best to keep warm by moving on the spot. I'd gotten quite cold by the time the barriers lifted. The usual dark spots were well lit up with my head torch and I tried to claw back the time I'd lost. Sadly, I couldn't find any speed at all and I eventually made it to the finish line in 03:37:26. 

Day 27 was a bit of a hybrid effort. I was due to fly to Paris in the afternoon so 10 miles on the treadmill followed by 3.1 miles near the Sacre Coeur completed the day. A combined time of 03:28:19 was achieved.  

At the end of day 27 a very pleasing £385.13 has been raised for St. Benedict's Hospice. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you'd like to do so then please visit justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.

365 - Day 18, 19, 20 and 21

Day 18 started with the big shop, some batch cooking and a catch up on some sleep. As a result, I didn't start this particular treadmill session until nearly 7pm. I had a spring in my step thanks to some donations to St. Benedict's Hospice. It was pleasing to end the week with £295.13 raised after a half marathon in 03:19:05.

Day 19's plan was to run from home to Bedlington Front Street then back west towards Stannington and down the path alongside the A1. As with previous days, the aim was to try and stick to a 4mph pace. I've established that this seems to be the optimum pace for recovery while not taking an age to get round. Running this distance over 3 hours is still far longer than I'd like but it's helped me to keep going and stay injury free so far. Mind you, my legs felt quite sore and I had very little uplift in my legs. I'm sure there is a technical term for that. But I'm sure you get what I mean.

The first 4 miles were a little over 5 mph. The daylight combined with a decent path/cycle path really helped. For a moment, I felt like a runner again.

I was pleased to reach the half way point just south of Stannington in some day light. By the time I turned to run back home and got back to Stannington it was pitch black.

I used the torch on my phone to get through the dark spots around Stannington. My pace took a hit as a result. After 10 miles, once I reached the end of Stannington Station Road and some street lights I decided to pick the pace up again. By now I was fighting against soreness in my hips and legs. Ironically, my feet were perfectly fine. That is, of course, in reference to the damage suffered during last year's run across the USA.

I passed my house in a little over 11 miles. The next mile was on a brand new, well lit cycle path in Bedlington. I made it once again to Front Street, past the chippy and put my foot down. Mile 13 was the second quickest of the day. I was very pleased to complete this half marathon in 03:16:27. "Tonight has done wonders for my confidence" is what I wrote on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page.

Day 20 was another treadmill run. It was yet another one where I started just before 7pm. I found it difficult to maintain t he 4mph pace and a final time of 03:25:26 reflected that.

Day 21's run was done prior to Newcastle's Champions League match against PSV. I chose a route from work (in Gosforth) to Ponteland and back. Once again, it was nice to set off in day light. It was bitterly cold. I was 1 mile into the run when I realised that I had forgotten my gloves.

By the time I reached Woolsington I was running in complete darkness again. I think it was at this point when I decided that I needed to buy a head torch! The rain was getting heavier as I made it past Newcastle Airport. When I reached the turning point in Ponteland, I was faced with full on bitterly cold wind and rain. The pain in my cold hands made a change from that in my legs, hips and back I suppose. 

I had to add on a few side streets in Gosforth to make sure that I hit 13.1 miles. Given the treacherous conditions (and the fact that I'd ran half marathons for 3 weeks straight) I wasn't too disappointed with a time of 03:28:06. Donations to St. Benedict’s Hospice totalling £40 came in while I did this run. That made the cold and wet effort all the more worthwhile.

Donna was waiting for me with a change of clothes at the finish line. It was then I realised that I'd forgotten to pack some fresh socks. I got changed dried and changed back at work. One of my colleagues was still there and she offered me some dry socks. I thought about it and politely declined. It wasn't until the next day that I was made aware that it wasn't a spare pair that she was offering. It was the pair she had on her feet! I know that we are a close knit team and all that but it wouldn't have been right for her to walk home sockless! 

I sat at the match wearing 5 layers and was quite toasty and warm. Well almost.  My soaking wet feet were like blocks of ice. I didn't mind too much as Newcastle won the match 3-0.

At the end of day 21 a very pleasing £335.13 has been raised for St. Benedict's Hospice. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you'd like to do so then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.