Sunday Long Run - 22km (Getting it done...)

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(Edited)

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dannewton just finished a 22.72km run, that lasted for 137 minutes.
This run helped dannewton burn 1670.0 calories.


Description from Strava: It was a struggle this weekend... but I've finally managed to get the long run done (well, long-ish, as 20km isn't very long these days!)

I usually like to do it first thing on Saturday mornings, to get it out of the way, so I can then get on and enjoy the rest of the weekend. If I don't do early, then it nags away at me, and I can't relax until its completed. As you can imagine though, I can't always run when I want. Sometimes there are more important priorities...

Case in point was Saturday (yesterday) which was my nieces birthday. Technically she turned 2 years of age a couple of days ago, but we finally all got together as a family to celebrate. We went round at lunchtime and had a really pleasant couple of hours as she opened her presents and had a little buffet party lunch thing. It did mean I couldn't do my long run as I didn't have time.

I did try to get up early to do a little run first thing, but I slept in, and barely managed to get to the party in time!

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I arrived home about 3pm, and made the most of the recent sunshine to finally mow the lawn for the first time this year. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of weeks, but its just been too wet to consider attempting it

technically it was still on the damp side yesterday, but I managed to finally get it done

And then I finally found a spare hour to do a little run, and I felt better after I managed to get something done. The following day I would do a longer run to make up for it...

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Unfortunately, after the beautiful sunshine yesterday, the weather took a turn for the worse today.

As you can see, the rain was forecast all morning. It would apparently improve by the afternoon, but I had already been waiting all weekend to do the long run, and wasn't prepared to wait any longer

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It doesn't actually look to bad in this image, taken just before I set off today, but the rain was ever present during most of the run.

It wasn't overly heavy as such, but it was persistent!

And as such I wasn't overly motivated to take many pictures today, as it would have just resulted in my phone getting wet. It also didn't help that I was lacking motivation, most likely due to having to rearrange my schedule.

I like having a plan or routine in place, and having that disrupted will always confuse me lol

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This was only the scene of most of the route, cloudy, gloomy and moody skies. The route I chose was the standard out and back route to Navenby, one I've done a million times before. I like it as it is flat, easy to navigate and reasonably interesting. At 22km it is just over the half marathon distance, which was all I really fancied today.

As the weather was miserable, and I was unmotivated, I just put my head done and got on with it. I got to Navenby in just over an hour, and did a short loop around the neighboring village of Wellingore. It was only when I turned to run back home, when I saw the below trees with beautiful pink blossom

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How on earth did I miss these first time around?!

They are a feature of one of the farms, and as I poked my phone through the gate, I managed to a better picture:

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Beautiful, and another sign that Spring is on the way, despite the relentless rain!

Spirits lifted, I carried on running home, and I'll admit the final 4 miles went by a lot more easier and felt more comfortable.

And so after a topsy-turvy weekend, I finally to get some form of long run done. The 22km was enough to take me just over 69km for the week, which means I manage to hit my weekly target at least!

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The 68km weekly target has been picked, as it will hopefully keep me on target for my yearly target of which I'm aiming for 3,500km

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I am currently just ahead of this by 47km.... but i know thats a slim margin, and I will need to keep focused. I also know that at some point I will have some easier weeks, so it will be pertinent to build up a buffer i.e. by logging up to 75-80 each week.

A fresh week starts tomorrow, so I guess... here we go again!


If you would like to check out this activity on strava you can see it here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/10979142210

About the Athlete: Living in the UK, I am an intermittent Runner, but always striving for more consistency. When I'm not training I can be found photographing insects or listening to really loud angry music (which is the best type of music obviously!)

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17 comments
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You’re the kind of person who loves to get up early and makes hay while the sun shines
I’m glad you enjoyed your run
Nice one!

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lol, it doesn't always happen, but I try to get up early at the weekend!

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Manually curated by ewkaw from the @qurator Team. Keep up the good work!

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20km definitely counts as a long run, even if it's normal for you. I managed to avoid the rain this weekend. Those trees are pretty. With all the daffodils around it's nice to see a bit of colour.

!BEER

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lol, in my defense, I did say 'long-ish'! Would've prefered longer, but this all I could manage today... it'll do :-)

Yep, nature is starting to wake up, saw some butterflies and chunky bumble bees in the garden this afternoon!

!BEER

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Beautiful. It could really help to raise the speed.

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Wow that was really a long run and you were actually able to achieve that which you need to achieve and this is great to see. You were also able to burn a whole lot of calories I must confess

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20 kilometres running is not easy. In cloudy weather, one feels like walking more

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I've only ever done a run this long twice in my life. I think if I had that wonderful and peaceful scenery that you do would make it far more enjoyable.

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Agreed, a scenic location/route can help take your mind off running, especially if you're out for a couple of hours... thats the whole idea of these longer runs I guess, to just run and get lost in the moment, and not needing to focus on every step every km (or mile). I generally don't have a pace i mind, I just run.

But we both do what we enjoy... I enjoy spending time outside running, you enjoy spending more time in the gym.... both choices are valid

!BEER

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I enjoy spending time outside running, you enjoy spending more time in the gym.... both choices are valid

I would spend more time outdoors running if I had your scenery. That's what I get for moving to a city with 8 million people in it though.

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Running more than 20 km is quite impressive. Seeing trees with pink blossoms makes it feel like spring is approaching, and the weather is also very beautiful.

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That was really a massive run engaged and this is great to see to stay fit

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