Christmas runs: Taking the lead

I just finished a 6.409km running that lasted about 0hh:45mm:1.0ss !

I was up in Edinburgh at my sister's again for Christmas. One of the benefits is some interesting places to run. Just up the road from them is Blackford Hill, which is a bit of a challenge for me to run up. It can be tempting to stay in over the Christmas period, but I was determined to get out for some exercise.

On the first evening I went with the brother-in-law to walk to dog. We went up the hill, but it was getting quite dark by then. Pretty windy too. On Christmas eve he and I went for a run with the dog. She went a lot further than us, but we had to make stops to deal with her deposits. We got right up the hill again, but I had to walk some of it. He is pretty fit and has done the Seven Hills run around the city.

On Christmas morning I was out with my sister and daughter to walk the dog again. We went to a park up the road from them. There is very little flat around there. It is uphill to the park which is like a valley with a stream at the bottom. You can throw a ball so the dog does plenty of running uphill to wear her out.

Of course there was plenty of food and drink on Christmas day. It is quality family time with eighteen of us sitting down to dinner. There was a turkey as you might expect, but a fair few had the veggie option.

I could not persuade anyone else to come with me for a boxing day run. I was about to set off before I was told the dog demanded to come with me, so the two of us set off. I improvised a run around and up Blackford Hill. I had to keep calling her as she got distracted by other dogs. At one point she was mobbed by several collies, but it was all friendly. Lots of people were out running or walking dogs, much like at home, but the scenery is more impressive. From the top of the hill you have a great view of the city and Firth of Forth.

There are some impressive houses around there. I expect some cost millions. I think I could happily live in Edinburgh, despite the variable weather. We were fairly lucky on that front. I did not get rained on for my runs. There was no snow at all this time, but it was muddy in places. It is a good thing I took my trail shoes.

We are back home now after the long drive back. I will try to get out for a long run tomorrow. I am very close to my yearly running target. As I am not back at work for a bit I should get a few runs in. I hope to run even more next year.

Best wishes to all the Steem runners and everyone else who is out enjoying the outdoors.

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