Running On Empty

Another weekend, another non-parkrun 5K-ish. Google Fit reckoned it was just over 5K, and running buddy's watch thought the same. Onthegomap.com strongly disagreed. Anyway, this time, I completely forgot to get any photographic evidence, so here's a map of the route instead:  Being in my spiritual home of Seaton Sluice, I was absolutely in my element. Starting at the harbour by the Waterford Arms, heading under the road bridge and past the old bottleworks site (and that of the old bridge that I never knew), we headed up the dene to the far end of the village. From there, uphill to the Delaval Arms and downhill again to the clifftops before following the coast back to the Kings Arms and finishing with a lap of Rocky Island. The whole thing was around sunset for once, which was nice too. Unfortunately, I'm writing this at least a week after the event, so my memories of how I felt on the run are a little hazy. But I think both my hip and knee were fine this time, w...

Finally, a weekend run again. Let's quickly recap what I've been up to. Or not. First, I've not been running. Parkrun has had to be abandoned, as I'm taxi driver every Saturday morning now at parkrun time.  Secondly, I've not been running or even cycling or swimming since the snow-halted attempt at Blyth in early January. Thirdly, I've got a job again. From March 2025 to February 2026, I went without an income, which was probably the most prolonged stress and confidence-shattering period of my life. Mercifully, I'm now employed again, but the job's requiring a lot of hours right now, so exercise has been way down the list of priorities.  Today, however, the running buddy and I got back out again, heading to The Land of Oak and Iron (i.e. the Derwent Valley) for an easy 5K in beautiful woodland and mainly along the old railway line there (gentle gradient ahoy!). Really glad we didn't just go to Weetslade Colliery Park (my initial suggestion), as it ca...

Do I really need a 2025 retrospective? I barely did any running. 90% of what I did was parkrun and here's the truth of how often I attended that, from the 5K app: Blue squares are attended parkruns. Apols to those with colour-blindness. So, I guess the main headline or achievement for 2025 was that I did anything at all. Especially considering I called it all quits in October 2024. I almost got into the habit of attending parkrun regularly, even if I'd not been doing any midweek training runs, but then that died off in November (albeit not entirely by choice). February 2025, probably the last time I wore that top.  😢 Positively, I've had very little grief from my knees and hips since restarting. That may be helped by the significant amount of rest between runs. But what can I look forward to in 2026? What can and should I aim for? Well, the sidebar on this blog has the following unmet goals for 2025 and 2026: Starting training again (regularly) Get under 27 minutes at ...

Welcome to 2026! And good riddance to 2025! (I have my reasons.) Last post here was mid-November, so what have I been doing running-wise since then? Missing lots of parkruns, for various reasons: visiting in-laws, ill health, work stuff, and ferrying Daughter the First to her volunteering sessions at a local stable Managing to get out for a single 4K run (big whoop) Adding about 3 kilos in weight over Christmas and New Year Trying to attend a parkrun today, only to be scuppered by last-minute snow Needless to say, I'm not feeling the fittest I ever have done and I suspect I'm back to square one with my parkrun fitness revival. Hey ho. 🤷‍♂️ Sunrise at Blyth Links parkrun this morning, just after we'd been told it was cancelled I'd hoped to at least get 2026 off to a good start by doing both the New Year's Day run (at Newbiggin) and the regular Saturday run a couple of days thereafter. A banging headache and accompanying lack of sleep did for the fi...

Very quick post to say 2 things:  1. Volunteering at Leazes Park last weekend was called off due to the course being icy (the event was cancelled)  2. I'm unlikely to make it to any parkrun this coming weekend, volunteering or otherwise, as the family (including me) has some kind of plague (read: flu-like symptoms, but not COVID, apparently) So... zero exercise happening right now. Fingers crossed for Saturday 6th (though I'm competing with Tynemouth Christmas Market that day). 🤞

Groundhog Day! Last week, at Druridge Bay, I came 78th out of 161 finishers. This week, at Druridge Bay, I came 78th out of 161 finishers. Head asplode! 🤯 As for my time, it was 28:31, which was very similar to last week’s lateness-corrected time, but not identical. A little slower, in fact, but I’ll let myself off, as I did zero exercise midweek this time. The beach at Druridge Bay, but last week. Forgot to take any photos today. 🤷 I also had my running buddy back with me today, which was great and her positivity probably helped keep away the thoughts of “Why am I doing this to myself?” that I’ve been getting midway through the run. She even got me a coffee at the end, which was very welcome after the chilly wind outside had started to cool me down a bit. So anyway, I’ve run around the 28:30 mark 3 times now since returning to parkrun and it’s starting to feel like that’s my new plateau. Either I need to up my midweek game or I have to get comfortable with this level of achievement...