Run 101 - Last one for the year???

Not a lot to say about this one. Well, it was hard getting out of bed this morning. Tired! Very tired!

But out I went! I knew it would play on my mind until I did it, so out I went!

5kms, too fast to start with and it made it harder later on in the run, but I got round!

A hot one with a little breeze.

Run 100 - 999 run so far this year

Did a 'comfortable 8km' - well, that's what the plan said. So I ran it as 'comfortably' as you can run 8km! Hot and quite windy but it went well.

So, so far this month I have run 125km, and 999km in total this year. I had wanted to run 1102km this year but the injury earlier in the year put paid to that. Still, I shouldn't be too far off, the year hasn't ended yet.

Run 99 - More than I've ever done!

Did another 5km this morning. Only a slow recovery jog but it means that I have run 117kms this month - that is more than I have ever run in a month! Well pleased with that!

The weather has turned very overcast and drizzly. Yet it is still very warm.

Wore my new running top that Sam gave me for Christmas (thank you, Sam!). It worked a treat, and ideal for the heat.

Run 98 - Christmas Eve run

As it is Christmas this weekend, I thought I would try and get my long run in today rather than tomorrow, Christmas Day.

So I was up and out at 7am for a long run up Carruthers Hill. Nice morning but windy uphill (which makes the return run much nicer!) No guests in last night so Steve came with me on his cycle. The run went well and I ran a kay further than last week's long run in the same time, so happy!

Distance: 17km
Time: 2hr 6min
Average Pace: 7:26

Run 97 - Good run at last!

Up early again this morning before the wind got up and the heat rose to do 8km. My plan said the run should be done at a 'faster pace that feels uncomfortable' (that's a shame!) Still, I was up bright and early, whilst Steve prepared brekkie for a couple of guests who had to leave early.

Wasn't expecting much from this run as I have really struggled lately - the wedding, etc. was a lot more tiring than I had realised, then on top of that we went straight into the 'Christmas rush' of guests.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The run went very well and I ended up doing it in 53min 48sec - a lot better than my other 8km runs of late! I warmed up at a slow pace for the first couple of kms then quickened up, and managed to maintain that pace for about 6km. I usually flag after half way but I managed to keep going this time. Does a lot for the morale! :)

Run 96 - Great little run

Not a lot to say about my run today, other than that it was done at 6am so that I could back to help Steve with the guests' brekkies, and that it went well.

5kms around the village, had to keep slowing myself down as it was supposed to be a jog rather than a run!

Weather still fairly cool as it was early, but a bit windy. Not a problem though, and felt good.

Considering the amount of people here now for their holidays, there weren't many people up at 6am this morning!

Run 95 - Lovely Long Run

I quite enjoyed my run this morning. I managed to stagger out of bed before 6am, have a drink and some cereal, get dressed, cope with the animals and get myself out of the door by about 6.20am! Not bad going really!

I had decided that I really couldn't face running around PB again, so I went up to the R43 and ran up Carruthers Hill. Well, half way up anyway. I did 16km, which is about a km off the top.

Slow, comfortable pace. Cool, bright morning for the first half, a bit warm (but not too windy) for the second half.

Lost track of the time as I switched off my garmin for a short break half way to listen to the peacefulness, and ran for a couple of minutes with it off before realising it was not running!

Estimated run: 16km (definitely) and approximately 2 hrs 7 minutes.

Run 94: A struggle

Don't feel I am doing very well lately. Have had a bit of a bug, just hope that I don't get a full-blown cold like Steve has had. Thank you for the bugs you left with us everyone!

Didn't really feel like going out today, but it appeared to be a lovely day, weatherwise, and I felt ok whilst eating my muesli in bed(!) so got up and went out. Poor Steve was left to do the guests' breakfasts and start cleaning the rooms! Thank you! I love you!

Was scheduled to do 8kms, but ended up doing 6kms. Apart from feeling weak, it was hot, windy and the lube stuff didn't appear to be working as well as it should. Maybe I should just lose the extra couple of kilograms that I have put on over the last few weeks!

Run 93 - Ugh!

8kms to do today!

Horrible weather. Lots of rain and wind. I thought it was supposed to be nearly summer!

Asked Steve to come out with me on his bike and he agreed, so we both got ready. However, he got down to the garage and discovered he had a puncture! I decided to go off anyway, and he said he would catch me up en-route! Yeah right! Probably when I was almost home again! (Apologies, dearest! You caught me up after only about 2 - 3 kms. Big kiss!)

No sooner had I left the driveway of the house than it started raining again, getting harder and harder. Well, I thought I may as well carry on and do my 8kms. I was still wearing my sunglasses, which I needed when I left the house, and they did stop some of the rain getting in my eyes, but it made it very difficult to see!

People must have thought I was completely mad to be out in a rainjacket, capris and sunglasses in pouring rain! However, it did stop after a few kilometres, and I dried out a bit in the wind!

I really battled the first half against the very strong wind, although the second half was a bit better. It was just starting to rain again with 300m left to do, so I turned into our road instead of going straight on and ended up just 100m short of 8km. I'm sure that won't make a huge difference!

Thank you dearest Hubs for coming with me! :)

Run 92 - Phew!

I woke up this morning knowing that I had a run to do. Only a short one. In fact, a real s-l-o-w jog> 5km! The weather looked good with no wind. "I'll go a bit later, I think. I'll stay in bed a little longer." Then I noticed the branches of the tree opposite starting to sway a bit. "Mmm!" I thought, and got out of bed to check the weather forecast. "How much?" I cried. "Oh no, that's a really strong wind. I don't want to run in that!" So, I got changed into my running gear and went out!

Very strong headwind (but getting stronger as I speak - phew, glad I went out when I did!) first half, and very hot second half. My legs did not feel strong and even though it was a slow run, it felt hard work. Glad I did it then, though!!! :)

Run 91 - Long Run

Desperate to get out for a 'proper' run as my running seems to have slipped so much lately. So, after I had helped Steve with the guests' breakfasts, I changed into shorts and vest ('cos he said it was warm outside) and went out for a 'long' run. I hadn't been sure exactly how far I was going, but I wanted to do something between 12 and 16kms. 12kms I had done a few weeks ago, and 16kms I missed out when we went away last week. So, 14 seemed a good idea! Mmm, it's a long way, we'll see!

I ran around the village (so the boring part was done), then ran up towards B'bos until I had run 10km and turned round and came back. The weather had started off warm and sunny (hence the shorts!) but the clouds came and it rained for about 1.5kms! I got very wet!! And cold (the wind was blowing!) However, then the sun came back out and I dried off!

It was a slow plod all the way, but it was enjoyable, and I ended up doing nearly 14.5kms.

Run 90 - Let's get back into a routine!

It has been extremely hectic recently, especially the last few weeks with Sam and John's wedding and looking after Finn, and going away for a few days as well. Even though it is great to see everyone, it takes a lot out of us, and I had to forgo some training runs. That makes it all the harder to catch up.

We are still busy, and will be busier in the lead up to Christmas and over the holiday period, with guests staying, but must press on now with my running.

I did a slow jog this morning after the hikers had gone out for the day, 5km around the village. After I had warmed up, it was quite enjoyable.

Run 89 - Back out around Pearly Beach

I was told to go out for a run this morning (can't think why?!) so I did!

It was lovely to get out as I hadn't run since Sunday. I did my 8km route, although it had an extra 300m tagged on to it as I forgot my water bottle and had to go back for it. There was no way I could run for an hour without that.

The run went quite well and I felt much better than I had last week when I ran out of energy. Mind you, I did have breakfast about an hour before I went out! I only stopped running for water breaks. I can't run and drink at the same time, I end up with a sore mouth!

Run 88 - At Robertson in the mountains

Just back from staying in the mountains for a few days. Lovely little cottage - we stayed in one and the newlyweds (and babe) stayed in another. It had a spash pool, which was very welcome - with the temperature in the high 30s/early 40s! Beautiful scenery!

I took my running stuff so that I could run whilst there and I managed to get out once anyway - Sunday morning, early. I did less than 5kms. It was fine on the way out, but totally uphill on the way back! And it was hot - even though I went out just after 6am. All along the farm track. At the end of the track by the main part of the farm, there were 3 adult pigs with lots of little piglets - very sweet! They enjoyed all the organic waste from the kitchen each day!

However, I did get a fright. As I stepped away from the pigs and faced the other way to run back up the hill, I noticed a baboon on the edge of the road, seemingly asleep! Mmm!

Run 87 - Not a good run!

We went to Swellendam today to pick up Sam and John and let Finn meet up with his parents! That took up most of the day and so I decided to fit in my run when I got back.

What started as a good run, by 4km had turned rubbish as I simply ran out of energy. I had to walk/jog back home and managed about 6.75km overall.

Keep positive...

Run 86 - Grabbing a few minutes

Eventually managed to struggle out of bed this morning and get ready to go for a run, leaving Steve and Finn in bed. Fed dogs and cats, ate a banana and managed to get out of the door!

Jelly legs this morning - really could do with some decent sleep! We are away with Finn, and his mum and dad for a few days from Saturday, (separate accommodation) so maybe we can lock the doors and windows and grab some sleep then! It's all very nice to see everyone, of course, but having planned and prepped for the wedding, etc. it is exhausting!

Anyway, managed to squeeze in 8kms, and ran around the village. It rained on me for a few minutes but it didn't matter as I was on the way home then. Very slow, but I am not going to worry about that until we are straight again in a few weeks' time. Looking forward to going away at the weekend, maybe squeeze an early one in then.