Month total 1410

396 min ahead of schedule now.  That's more than 6.5 hours, or more than a week's 'normal' running time. 

Foxes

72 min
Start 5.00

These are the stones I jump over on this stretch of the road.

 

First brambles of the season.

Another ´will I or won´t I?' few minutes this morning when the alarm went off but ach, once I was awake I needed to get up to go to the loo anyway and once I'm out of bed it´s just a case of keeping going with the eyes, teeth, clothes stuff till I´m actually out the door and then I´m always glad I made the effort after all.  Lovely red skies over De Bilt and when I came round a corner at one point I saw a fox running off and then a second later another one running in the opposite direction.  Is this them being smart?  Not running off together to avoid the chances of being pursued/caught? 

Deer at dawn

123 min
Start 4.30

 

Out slightly earlier than planned as I woke up at 3.30 when some students were shouting outside.  As the alarm was set for an hour later I decided just to get up anyway and put a wash on and take my time about getting my stuff together before going out the door at vEry first light.  Good to get out of town when just the first streaks of light were in the sky to the (north)east.  Enjoyed the bit on one of my podcasts where a 5 year old was being interviewed by her mum after running her first one-mile race.  When asked what the best bit was she said 'Getting stuff at the end.'  A girl after my own heart.  Bling and t-shirts and food, that's what we want.  ;-)  In the next one Chris ended with some excellent punk music, explaining that he likes this sort of thing for when he's careening down hills on his mountain bike.  It was just right for a bit of interval training where I was jumping over a low stone border between bike path and road every 5 steps.  On the way home developed a 'training plan' for my 50k birthday run.  I'm going to increase my long runs every weekend by an hour.  So 2 hours today, next week 3, then 4, then 5.  That means I'll be up to 6 hours on the 26th - which might not be enough but should have me within sight of the end. 

Week total 212

Grey Dawn

66 min
Start 5.00

When the alarm went off at 4.30 I had my usual debate with myself about whether I really wanted to get out of bed or not and the thing that got me out this time was the thought that if I didn't I might miss another beautiful misty morning like the other day.  However the sky was grey and there was no sign of sun or mist or anything else particularly worth seeing. But nevertheless I'm glad I got out of course.  If I hadn't I'd be feeling now that I needed to run this evening and as it's still quite hot and sticky I feel too warm to be able to bother. 

Mist at Dawn

86 min
Start 5.00

Circuit out towards Groenekan and back via De Bilt.  Barefoot all the way - bit ouchy and slow on the path under the trees just before the Berekuil - maybe I should go round by the road when I'm shoeless as it's the only really problematical bit.

Barefoot, no shirt...

60 min
Start 21.00

Well it was still warmish - I did have 2 of my most serious sheepdog bras and a yellow reflective vest on, so it wasn't as if I was totally indecent.  First run where I've actually left my shoes at home instead of ditching them temporarily somewhere along the way.  I don't think I had to swear once - my feet are definitely toughening up. 

Week total 333

The latest idea is to do 3 weeks of 330+ then the last week of the month with around 200.  It's best to incorporate less intense weeks to avoid injury. 

Even more barefoot

67 min
Start 21.00

Ditched my shoes earlier than last time and on the way back tested to see if I could run all the way home without them, including the roughish path just before the Berekuil.  Had to slow down significantly for a good stretch (200m?) but it wasn't impossible to keep running. 

Barefoot Sunset

100 min
Start 20.15

Idyllic run out to Groenekan, the bit after going under the motorway all in bare feet, verges, bridle path and tarmac.  I seem to be slightly less susceptible to sharp jaggy bits than the last time I went out this far.  Last time I turned back hobbling and swearing once the smooth tarmac ran out and the messier path began.  This time I kept going without problems.  Is it maybe that all the recent rain has made the path smoother?  Washed away all the wee stones?  Anyway - lovely evening.  The woman I often meet walking her white pony along the verges to let him eat grass was sitting on him for the first time - must ask her if he's maybe been injured next time I see her.   Lots of good light and clouds - much appreciated after the greyness of all the recent rain. 

Dry Run

78 min
Start 20.30

Forgot to take my drink bottles with me.  I usually have 2 x 2cl bottles on my belt. But for this shortish run on a cool evening with barely perceptible drizzle now and then I didn't really need them.  It's more habit than necessity. 

More Barefoot

88 min
Start 5.00

 

Glad I got out in time.  It was dry (at last) and there was even some clear sky and I really enjoyed being out so early.  More puddles than usual after yesterday's all day rain.  I took my shoes off at the start of the bridle path by the Berekuil and ran for the rest of the way till I got back to that point (so about 70 + minutes in total) barefoot.

Week total 331

Barefoot Beats

98 min
Start 20.00

Out past the Berekuil, where the festival they've been setting up all week was finally in full swing, so I could take my earphones out for a while.  Then out towards Groenekan.  Took my shoes off at the end of Caity's 'celebratory' episode and ran a 40 minute circuit without them, before coming home via Bloeyendaal.

Slow but sure

77 min
Start 20.30

Never seemed to get any speed up at all this evening.  Sometimes because of plowing through sand/mud but even on the road I felt heavy and sluggish.  So just took it easy and got through the time I'd promised myself I'd be out for. 

Berekuil Festival?

81 min
Start 20.30

Sunset clouds and thistles

75 min

Start 20.45

Week total 339

Barefoot Emma(laan)

91 min
Start 4.45

 

Out early towards Groenekan and via a short detour through a tree nursery back to run about on the newly cut grass in the middle of the Emmalaan in my bare feet. 

Park Run

60 min
Start 20.30

Rain and thunderstorms were threatening so didn't go too far from home.  Out to Bloeyendaal and then back for a couple of barefoot circuits of the grass playing field in the Wilhelminapark.  Tried out a couple of new podcasts but they're not going to make my new collection.  A marathon training plan thing with a very irritating long detailed disclaimer about the podcast not being responsible for any injuries and an Aussie one where they tell you not to listen to the podcast during runs.  Ok boys, I'll follow your advice, but don't think I'm going to sit at my computer and listen to you instead then. 

Any Questions

101 min
Start 4.30

Good tempo-ish run out to Groenekan with a selection of running podcasts and then the Any Questions broadcast from last Friday on the last strait home. 

Back from Houten

87 min
Start 16.00

Delivered the Agila for Katie and ran back via Silvia's Hoeve and Lunetten.