REDJan Diary - Part 1

Aaaaand we're off! Raising money for Suffolk Mind, let's do this!

1st January
Yep, did it! *does a little wiggle dance*

3rd January
Ran before work this morning… Not my ideal time of day but once I got going, it was a thoroughly lovely, if chilly run. I watched the sun come up over Ipswich and filter through the cold haze.

6th January
Six days in and I’ve survived so far! I rounded this week off with a run at Great Run Local, Needham Lake, an awesome free volunteer-led event that happens every Sunday morning. They take place all over the country, similar to parkrun - I would thoroughly recommend trying one; they are super supportive of runners of all abilities.

7th January – week 1 done
Miles to date: 16.4
My New Year didn’t get off to the best of starts; I was a little poorly as 2019 rolled round so dragging myself out every day after several nights of barely any sleep was hard work. Throw in a run before work on day 3 (mornings are not really my thing) and I was ready for a nap by lunchtime!

But there is definitely a sense of achievement that appears when you’ve completed another run, and a lightness that comes with getting some screen-free space. I feel like I’m starting to get into my stride now with the actual running but let’s see how things are in a weeks’ time....

I am so overwhelmed by the support I’ve had. I reached my fundraising target today, which is AMAZING (thank you everyone who has sponsored me!) and so consequently decided to push my luck and up the limit.

8th January
I take it back, I’m exhausted. I’ve run on and off for many years, but never very far or with any consistency. I have totally under-estimated the physical impact of running every day. I don’t want to run anymore!

11th January
Loved running today. Ran with my lovely friend and saw so many others out and about at lunchtime.

13th January
Today was my third 5k at Great Run Local, Needham Lake – the second of REDJanuary. GRL send you a text with your time as you finish each run and have your wristband scanned. So, last week I looked back to see what my time was the first time I did it – 33:34 okay so not fast but something to work with. As I crossed the line last week and stopped my Garmin, it read 33:34. Ha! What a coincidence! This week, as I crossed the line and had my wristband scanned, the lovely marshal said “well done, that’s 33:34 for you”. As if.

14th January – week 2 done
Miles to date: 34.2
This week has been tough. Really tough. I’m starting to really resent having to go out and run every day. And physically, I’m shattered. Even the realisation that my times over the shorter distances are improving and my running is stronger is not enough. I read somewhere that the next few days (around the mid-point) are the toughest part of RED January. As long as I can get through them, we’ll be flying!

15th January
Weather is gorgeous today; I was so excited to get out at lunchtime. Unfortunately I had a really frustrating morning at work that put me in a total grump, and I couldn’t shake it. Grr.

17th January
Tonight was the first run I’ve done in about a week that I’ve actually enjoyed. I left the house wrapped up in ALL THE LAYERS (it was bloomin’ chilly) with only a vague sense of the direction and no expectations of how well it would go. I had to stop at a level crossing which RUINED my pace (I’ll take my chances crossing the road, but I’m not going to argue with a train) but overall such a satisfying run!

20th January
My first and only race of REDJanuary today, 5k round Snetterton Race Track in Norfolk. Very chilly start with a thick frost on the ground as we left home. Beautiful blue skies, and a super flat course meant I took a minute and a half off my current 5k time! I’m still slow, but less slow than I was last week. And I got a bit of bling which always makes me happy!