Inspired but unfortunately not for running

I was getting a bit bored with my usual route so I went off in a completely different direction this afternoon and found a lovely public footpath.  The problem was it didn't inspire me to run, instead I wanted to slow down - meander, saunter, stroll - and none of those words equal speed!

This photo doesn't do it justice but the sun was shining through the trees, there were birds singing and no traffic sounds, I wanted to take my time, whistle and have a picnic (I don't actually take anything but a water bottle out with my though so that wasn't going to happen).  It was just lovely and after such a busy couple of days  - yesterday I didn't even have time to update my blog - it was really good to be out and find something to turn my brain off work for 10 minutes.

Unfortunately it didn't last long as I got so far down this lovely path and it was so boggy I had to turn right back round again and head back to reality - grey pavements and exhaust fumes (and a pretense at speed).

Yesterday's route
(Just to prove that I did still go out,
I didn't hide indoors and just not blog )

Today!

  

Short Walk - Huge Conker Haul

I spent the morning walking round Meadowhall as my daughter had kindly outgrown all her clothes (and I do mean all!).  I find Meadowhall exhausting, the busyness and the noise usually wears me out completely so I was surprised that when I came home I actually did want to go out for a run.

Maybe I just wanted to try out my snazzy new running top though - with it's pink go faster stripes :)

I made the mistake of taking my daughter with me - I wanted to run, she wanted to go conker picking.  I thought maybe we could do both - sounds easy enough.  I wasn't prepared though for the huge amount of conkers she actually collected and we had a very heavy bag to carry home with us!

Here's just a few of the conkers we collected!

And just for the record - here's the route we followed. But we're not telling you where our amazing conker stash came from as we are keeping that a secret for next year!

          

Todays' blog is brought to you with the words

Squelch and Blind....

It's one thing to set off while it's raining and be prepared to get wet, it's another thing completely to set off in okay weather and then have the heavens open half way round your route.

It rained so hard I seriously couldn't see - note to self: wear contact lenses next time!
It rained so hard that I had to take off my clothes as soon as got through my door and then streak past the open windows to get to the shower.  (An image I'm sure none of you wanted in your head this afternoon)
It rained so hard that my clothes had formed an actual puddle in the hall when I got back to them.

So a bit slower today but I think not being able to see lets me off a bit!

       

Starting to enjoy myself

Over 2miles today and fastest pace yet.  I'm really beginning to like this :)

This was my tenth walk/run and I've clocked up over 20 miles in just over 6hours.  Not bad to say this time last month I was mostly slothlike¬

Sporting the drowned rat look

It was absolutely throwing it down this morning when I woke up but I was determined to go out even though it would mean getting soaked and go out and get wet I did.  The powerful thoughts of the lovely warm shower awaiting me when I got back kept me going.

And I was faster today than ever before - I did my usual route backwards (ish) which meant that most of the first mile was either level or downhill and that made such a difference.

Screengrabs from my phone today as for some reason I can't get my map on the desktop version.

Feeling good :)

 

Weekend off and slow start

Feeling a bit bad that I didn't go out over the weekend but I had a busy Saturday and all my good intentions for Sunday were put off when my daughter practically gave me concussion kneeing me in the face while I was giving her usual sunday morning tickle - my cheek still hurts!

I'll do better next saturday I promise!

Anyway, bit slow today but it is Monday plus I stopped to pick up a massive conker stash I found - now if only conkering was good for calorie burning :)

Did not want to go out but surprised myself

I really didn't want to go out today, I am tired and just wanted to sit on the sofa and read my kindle.  It's still a workday though  - all be it a Friday - so that wasn't an option anyway so I gave myself a stern talking to, reminded myself it's only half an hour of the day and put my trainers on.

I didn't run much though, I just did not have the energy but at least I was out and any exercise is better than no exercise.  About a third of the way round I realised I really wasn't enjoying myself so I turned off my music and just walked.

I changed my route slightly and wandered through the local park. I love autumnal colours and with the sun shining it was just lovely, quieter than when I'm (trying to) pound the streets and I just felt like I could breathe again - not that I was actually having trouble breathing but you know what I mean.

So I actually walked a bit further than normal, burnt off more calories than normal and though my pace was slower than usual, in the end I didn't hate it and I was glad I did go out.
This early on in my fat to fit journey I think that is a very big plus!