600 in the bag

So, that was run number 600 and a damp mile-and-a-bit at that.

It seems funny to think that my 14-year-old daughter, who is now closer to her 15th birthday than her 14th, was still twelve when I started my run a mile each day experiment.

My running log on my iPhone also tells me that although it's a mile each day, I have actually run over one thousand three hundred miles since the year 2010 started.

So, while the rain continues to fall, it can't dampen my mood.

It definitely feels like a milestone and one worth celebrating. I think I'll do that with a cappuccino with a good friend of mine in my favourite coffee shop shortly.

Roll on 31st December. I think that two years feels like the next major milestone.

Well done indeed

I was shuffling up a steep(ish) hill on my run this morning when I said hello to a man walking down the hill.

His response was "Well done".

Just those two words gave me a lift.

Isn't it amazing what a simple little thing like a smile, a word of encouragement or congratulations can make?

Anyway, it got me thinking that it is well done to get out there and run in the morning. There are so many people I come across who say "I must get out and run" or I really should exercise.

Each day I go out and run is an achievement. Although I don't want to break my "run" (which is currently at 597 days), there is always a reason why "I would rather not go now", "maybe later" or "what would it matter if I missed one day?".

So, if you've run today, even if you've never run before, well done to you. You have done something worthwhile and I, for one, congratulate you.

"Well done indeed!"

Anything is possible

It was day 591 this morning, which is quite exciting.

600 consecutive days, which I should complete on 23rd August, all things going to plan, feels like quite a big milestone.

After my fairly downbeat post on Friday, this morning I had a really nice (slow obviously) run to pick up the car, which we left at a friend's house after having dinner there, and going slightly over the alcohol threshold whereby it was safe to drive.

Anyway, rather than go the most direct route I chose the more scenic one, down unmade roads, across the Tunbridge Wells Common and through a couple of small parks, which took me just over 2 miles (long distance for me these days).

Despite the slowness of my pace and the niggle in my knee, I felt terrific.

I remembered this morning why it is that I run, and how important it is to my life.

I just had the feeling while I was running that anything is possible. It's something that running gives me probably more than anything else.

I couldn't put a price on that.

Slowly does it

It's been a very long time since I last recorded my progress, thoughts and challenges around my Mile Each Day experiment.

I'm still going, although not strong, at least without a break, having completed day 589 today.

It's all been quite frustrating as the damage I did to my left knee way back in May is still with me, if anything worse now than it was in the first few weeks after I hurt it.

So I'm plodding on, doing my minimum mile-and-a bit, very slowly every day.

I'm just waiting for some physiotherapy that should be starting in the next few weeks.