2017 in review

It’s only a couple of weeks old, so it’s probably harsh to try reviewing 2017 already, but I know there are a couple of things coming up I wanted to muse on, so here goes.

[tl:dr Reflections on stuff that’s coming up, a couple of name drops and a quick delve through recent events. Normal service continues sometime soonish.]

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Getting back in the groove

Today, after some time away from running, I returned to Parkrun at Walsall Arboretum. My attempt was somewhere between slow and not bad for BMI.

Coincidentally, I haven’t been blogging for a little while and it’s nice to be back doing that too.

Welcome to September.

A week of achievements

In the last ten days, I’ve had a run of extremely positive moments. Since this blog exists partly to document my ego, I thought I’d pull them together and see what they all looked like in order. It started on Saturday July 4th…

tl:dr I did lots of brilliant stuff. Aren’t I epic?

Slowly around Shenstone

This Sunday, following last week’s hard slog around Aldridge 10K, I’d already lined up further torture in the shape of Shenstone Fun Run.

Pushing my Luck

I tackled the Aldridge 10K again this weekend, and much to my disappointment I was actually slower than last year. This must be because I was pushing my luck all the way round.

3 hours 51 minutes 11 seconds

3 hours 51 minutes 11 seconds

Today I completed my first half marathon.

tl:dr I did sports. Equal parts exhausted; astonished; smug as.

Walsall 10K

New Personal Best in the Walsall 10K this morning. Another record in what’s been a very pleasant month, slicing a good six or seven minutes off my previous best.

Goodness me I’m enjoying this running lark.

Running for a Record

Today I completed my 50th parkrun. Five kilometres were duly covered and I had a lot of fun. Not least because apart from hitting this (hundred-and-fifty-) milestone, I ran it faster than ever before.

After last weekend’s slightly disappointing 10K time, I stormed home in 31:46, a solid 20% improvement on my first parkrun and a time of which I’m justifiably proud. I know I say I’m not a runner, but it’s looking more and more like I am really.

To celebrate I have purchased a few bottled ales from Morrisons. Since I’m in a month of sobriety to help with my running I feel this is the most appropriate way of marking my success. Next weekend it’s the Walsall 10K. I’ll be back to being sober by then.

PS: And thanks to my friend on Facebook who misunderstood the comments on my celebratory post and assumed I was celebrating my 50th Birthday today. You cheered me up no end and more than one mutual acquaintance is now trying to wipe coffee off their screen.

Running for Money

Thank you to everyone who’s supported me by sponsoring my 10K run this morning. The weather was good, the terrain hilly and I had a very pleasant run with the others who turned out for the 5K and 10K. Little brother Jimm Rennie joined in as well, and being much faster than me was waiting at the finish to cheer me on.

Holidays with the Family Clayton

We’re back from holiday. A week away at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest has meant cycling, swimming, and a run in my new running shoes. Also badminton, fencing (with an excitable but somewhat erratic 6 year old), air hockey, and spa for both Mrs C (my wife and mother who are, since I’m not from Appalachia, two different people).

I got through a Jack Reacher novel and generally had a good old time running around keeping our three boys occupied.

Here’s a photo of what it’s like when the sun shines. You can imagine it’s a bit different when it rains.