The exercise spark

Well, I've done the 13.1 miles half marathon distance now. I ran the race route this morning about seven minutes quicker than I'll need to run it three weeks today.

I'm listening to I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue on the radio while I'm writing this, which is a little distracting.

Since I got home from my run I've had to clear up two gifts that our adopted cat has left us, a dead mouse left on our front door step, and regurgitated cat food on the inside front door mat.

I've just started reading a book called "Spark! - How exercise will improve the performance of your brain."

I must be on the right track.

Coincidences times 2

Just the bare minimum run this morning.

Been up to London today, which gave me a chance to delve a bit deeper into "Life on the Run: Coast to Coast". I now feel I was a bit too hasty in my initial judgement of the book yesterday.

I still think it's quite pricey for such a small book and the layout would not be my chosen design, but I have to say that I'm warming rapidly to the content of the book.

The part about one of the adventurers pleading with his colleagues to give him a new song to sing because he had "High on a Hill Stood a Lonely Goat-Herd" from the Sound of Music going round his head in a loop while at the top of one of the fells, really made me laugh.

That in turn triggered another memory for me of Toby (my son) singing exactly that same song solo on stage at Wimbledon Theatre probably about 20 years ago in the stage production of the show with Christopher Plummer.

The other coincidence I've only just realised is that Matt Beardshall and his colleagues were running (and cycling in 1 case) the exact same route that my brother-in-law and his colleagues are walking as I write this.

Cat alarm

Just under 2 miles this morning and back to the long tee-shirt, brrrrrr.

The cat that seems to have adopted us woke me up first when it jumped on our bed (3am), when it jumped off again (5am), when it scratched at the front door to go out (5.30am - it decided not to go out), when it scratched again to go out (6am - I ignored it) and when it scratched at the door of our spare room (6.15am - someone else got up). My alarm went at 6.30am. Oh joy!

I have now received and have started to read "Life on the Run: Coast to Coast" by Matt Beardshall. My initial impression is that it's a lot shorter than I expected for the price and I'm also not sure of the book design and the writing style, but it's early days and the jury is still out.

I've also received 3 other new books, delivered in their Amazon package on our door step. I do love getting new books!

100 days, 173 miles, 33 hours

100 days, 173 miles and 33 hours is my tally following this morning's glorious sunny run.

Our first breakfast of the year sitting out in the sunshine in the back garden and also the first time my shorts have seen the light of day this year.

I enjoyed my day living in happy valley yesterday and being a beacon. Today's intention is to be kind wherever possible and to start really trying out positive affirmations.

Ordered 4 books on Amazon yesterday with some birthday vouchers, so I'm quite excited about receiving them in the next week or three, and yes, one of them is about running.

I've got a crazy hair-brained idea at the moment - I wonder if I could run the Beachy Head marathon barefoot? I might have to let that one simmer for a few days.

Day 49 - seven weeks done!

My goal to run at least 1 mile each day for the month of January 2010 has now expanded well into February with 7 weeks completed.

It feels quite inspiring to think that I have run a mile every day of the new decade so far.

How long can I sustain this?

What will I learn from it?

I have already (almost) run through a cold, a groin strain and the dreaded plantar fasciitis (I think). Right heel is still a little sore but significantly improved. Interestingly, I threw my orthotics (customised inner soles for those non runners among you) away and am using an old pair of trainers with no inner soles at all.

Have been totally inspired by "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall, an absolutely amazing book.

Not going much beyond a mile at all at the moment because of the injuries, but hoping to stretch it out a little further soon.