If you’ve read any advice on running the experts give 3 tips in a nutshell;
1) Wear appropriate footwear
2) Warm up and cool down
3) Cross-train

If this week epitomises anything it’s point 3. Cross-training! That is activities which are not running. Cross-training is recommended because injuries can arise with any muscle imbalances and performing other exercises strengthens muscles which aren’t used for running. Thus cross-training helps to keep you balanced and hopefully injury free.  To put it another way; running is by its nature a repetitive exercise – you just put one foot in front of the other and repeat until done – so to improve your running performance and prevent overuse doing something different will keep you fresh and allow those running muscles to recover.

Having been injured once before and barely able to walk let alone run I am now terrified of injuring myself again.  So I do make a point to cross-train.  Ordinarily I cross-train by swimming 2-3 times a week and cycling to and from work (about 20 K a week).  Both swimming and cycling are great cross-training activities for runners as they are non-weight bearing but still improve your cardiovascular health.  I am also convinced it was swimming that helped me finally get proper breathing technique as in water my breaths had to be timed to my strokes – which can easily be applied to steps whilst running.

However, this week, there was something more special in store as Andreas and I were in St. Marine, Brittany, France staying with his extremely active Aunt and Uncle.

Together we have gone on bike rides to the coast and mountains, swam in the sea, ridden a horse, kayaked up and down a river, walked along port fortifications, climbed hundreds of steps to the top of a lighthouse, paddle boarded, sailed a catamaran and still slipped in over 20 miles of running.  If I hadn’t consumed copious amounts of fromage et pain (cheese and bread) with every meal it would also have been extremely healthy.

The best thing in all of this for me, is the knowledge that I can actually do these activities without dying on the spot from physical exhaustion or suffering for days afterwards from aching muscles. Don’t get me wrong, last year, I would have still tried all the activities – but it is still a relief to fit into an ‘M’ sized wet-suit and to not always be the slowest. Except, that is, the day I decided to wear heels because we were just visiting friends but then the weather improved so we went for a walk on rocky terrain! I was the slowest that day because I missed point 1 – appropriate footwear – but, hey, at least I looked the coolest.

Brittany really is a beautiful corner of the world and I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.  Andreas and I agreed we definitely need to go back again!  Merci beacoup to our hosts for entertaining us so well!

Week 4: Total mileage for the week was 15 K (9.3 miles), total running time was 1:45 (because the 19 K run was on the Monday and so I count it in the next week).

From the pre-dawn magic of Mallorca to the post-dusk danger of Didcot. Note to self: if you have a 2 hour run to do don’t wait until 20:30 before setting off. But alas, we had 16 K to run and through procrastination (a BBQ and 3 episodes of House) we left late and unprepared.

“Don’t worry, it’s summer”. We told ourselves. “It’s light until like midnight… Besides the path is totally even and straight.”

We were headed to Little Wittenham and back – about 14 K but we can make the rest of the distance up around the Ladygrove Loop. It follows national cycle path #5 past a few fields growing rape seed and the two picturesque villages of Long and Little Wittenham where the charity Earth’s Trust is based. (FYI: We are signed up to their 10 K run on 6th of September because how could we not with it being so local and for a good cause?).

Anyway, about 4 K in, Andreas, my boyfriend, may have mentioned once or twice about the setting sun and should we be worried(?). What can I say, he was right. The sun was already edging towards the horizon and the shadows of the trees were long and ominous – but in my mind, we had already committed to this route – so regardless, Little Wittenham was being run to. It was still light. There was a path. No traffic. A straight line.

We reached Little Wittenham and our turning point to head back which is when I joined Andreas in being worried about the setting sun. Thus far we had been running “away” from the sun and so its decent was not hugely obvious however now we were chasing it. My brain helpfully thought up a montage of every vampire story I have ever come across and fictional soundtrack to match. It didn’t help that our running backdrop had changed into something worthy of an apocalypse movie. The skyline was murderously red, the clouds were looming – practically scraping the hilltops, the silhouettes of carefully planted trees looked like tombstones lined up to play witness to our doom. To top it off I had definitely seen three or four big black crows earlier whom would probably peck out my eyes if given a chance.

I have occasionally been accused of having an overactive imagination.

The only saving grace was that the moon was not out. The last thing I needed was the addition of werewolf tales to my building horror monologue. Of course later on, when the sun had set proper and I was finding my way by closely following flashes of Andreas’ white trainers in the gloom ahead, I did think some moonlight might have actually helped a bit. Instead of being worried about vampires I was now mostly worried about tripping and twisting an ankle. The mere mention of running injuries terrifies me!

Anyway, a few tentative but accident free kilometers back to Didcot later and we were on the illuminated Ladygrove Loop for the final 2 K.

In the comfort of your own home, freshly showered, snacking on a nectarine and wondering if Netflix might have “From Dusk Til Dawn”, it’s hard to remember what all the fuss was about.

Week 3: Total mileage for the week was 32 K (19.9 miles), total running time was 3:40

My alarm blares loudly. It’s 5 am. I am in Cala Millor, a small tourist town in eastern Mallorca. I am on holiday. Outside is still dark with only a hint of dawn. It’s already 22°C and the sun isn’t even up yet – it will be 30°C by midday. Today I have to run 14.5 K to hit my training schedule for the Lisbon Marathon.

By all accounts, I am not a morning person. I don’t get the concept of a ‘morning run’. I am not against mornings in general I would just rather they take place whilst I am asleep. But, it will be too hot to run later so I eat a banana for fuel, dress and slap sunscreen on my face.  All these things I do on autopilot and before long I am outside doing my warm up exercises. My friend Anna is with me, aiming for 6 K, it will be her longest run ever. I set my GPS watch to run mode and we’re off.

Almost immediately the early start reaps its rewards. The ocean air and dreamlike beauty of this island invigorates us both. We run at a leisurely pace, slower than I would normally run but I don’t mind. It’s nice to have company and frankly delightful not being completely out of breath.

The path is flat and wide, following the coastline.  At night you would struggle to run for the sheer volume of people bustling along but now in the pre-dawn light the place is much less populous. We pass the occasional runner with a conspiratorial smile. Nationality doesn’t matter, if you are a runner, you are automatically accepted into the scenery.

As the sun hits the horizon the sea is transformed into a glittering assortment of diamonds, sapphires and turquoise. In the distance, you can make out the outline of surprisingly green hills through the morning mist.

6 K comes and goes and Anna, on the longest run of her life is still going strong. The sun has steadily risen and with it the last of the morning dew is burnt off. The temperature rapidly rises too but it’s okay, at this relaxed pace I feel I can run forever.

Anna retires upon completing her first 10 K! I congratulate her and move on. With only 4.5 K left to run I pick up the pace and glide to the finish. I am left with the feeling of wanting to run more. Looking out across the beautiful ocean, with unspent energy in my legs and feeling revitalised and awake – I wonder if there maybe something in these morning runs after all!

Week 2: Total mileage for the week was 29.5 K (18.5 miles), total running time was 3:28.

I have run in and around Didcot for the last 10 months – I thought I must have pretty much covered the entire area and exhausted all the possible running routes.

So I was really surprised to discover that south of Didcot lies an impressive raised path which cuts through the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside.  It is part of the national cycle network (route 44) and wide enough to accommodate cyclist, walker, buggy stroller, trotting Labrador and runner alike.  The route, lined with artful benches and wildflowers, allows delightful views across farm land, rolling hills, woods and picturesque villages.  In the distance even the Didcot Power Station Cooling Towers look majestic.

The views were a reminder of one of the things I love about running – that it can be an adventure and a great way to discover an area.  This week the unexpected views provided that extra boost that lifted the run from routine into remarkable.

To set the scene we needed to run 8 K on Wednesday, the hottest day of the year so far and still a respectable 27°C when we set off at 21:00.  Since I had been so hot and thirsty on the first run of the week (Monday, 5 K, Didcot Ladygrove Loop) I decided the best thing to do was drink a couple of glasses of water before I left.  Note: actually not a brilliant idea it turns out – I spent the first few kilometres feeling like a giant water balloon, slushing internally and groaning with every step.  In addition, early on this new route wasn’t great, just tired residential areas followed by a dodgy looking overgrown dark wooded path with uneven pavement.  (If you have watched Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: at the beginning when Belle’s father has to choose between two roads – one bright and enchanted woodlands complete with chirping birds and the other a dark and desecrated forest – yeah we were definitely closer to option two).  On top of this, despite waiting until late evening it was still stiflingly hot.  I hadn’t eaten yet either so I was not particularly enjoying the moment or in the best of moods.

So, imagine then, when the path suddenly opened up and offered up spectacular views.  All the little niggles drifted away and I was just in awe.  All that nature, combined with the setting sun and high orange tinted moon and the run became pleasant once more.  Ended up running 8.5 K and going back for the long run on Sunday (13 K) where we took these photos.

Week 1: Total mileage for the week was 26.5 K (16.5 miles), total running time was 3:11.