Week 2 of my exercise every day in 2025 challenge and the first full week of the year.

Monday January 6th – I underestimated how cold it was today and didn’t have an extra layer on at work. By the end of the day I felt so cold I just couldn’t warm back up. Sat in the house early evening, still feeling cold, the thought of going outside to exercise was filling me with dread. It is rare that I am cold, and usually thrive at the thought of it being frosty outside. Anyway, I had to leave the house regardless as I needed to go and feed a cat. So I decided to run there instead of taking the van. Literally thirty seconds into the run and I was overheating haha! As it turned out, the house was too close so I kept on running until I’d done 15 minutes and then turned around and headed back, feeding the cat on my way home. Usually when I run, I do run/walk intervals as I struggle to run continuously. For some reason, I decided to see how long I could run for before walking, and I ended up running the entire way!! I say running, it was the slowest plod I could manage to keep going. Super happy though to run for 30 minutes without walking. It’s been a long long time since I’ve done that, and it feels like a great starting point to improve and get fitter and quicker.

Tuesday January 7th – Another really cold frosty night and I needed to take a dog home late. So on my way home from dropping her off I decided to park up in Ystradgynlais by the Gorsedd and walk a loop of Ystrad. I felt this was the safest place on a late cold slippery night. I walked from the Gorsedd towards town, cutting down the lane into Maescynog, out onto station road, back down into town, up towards the Jeff the down the road behind the library and across Teddy Bear Bridge. I don’t think in all my years living around here that I have ever actually walked across Teddy Bear Bridge before. Then when I got to the other side onto Heol Giedd, the flood barrier was up so I had to climb over this big gate. I only just made it with my little legs 🤣. From here I continued down towards the Sced and back past the shops and down towards the Gorsedd. Finished with a lap of the Gorsedd park which was still beautifully lit from the Christmas lights. I do think the white string lights should stay up all year round. An enjoyable little walk around my favourite village.

Wednesday January 8th – I arranged to meet Judith at the lake at 11am. Still in bed at 10am too cold to get out of the duvet. I am thinking really, I’m cold in bed and I’m going swimming in a lake! The thought of it was making me anxious, even though I know it’s ok and I’ve done it loads of times before. I eventually forced myself out of bed, put my swim kit on and left the house. Still minus 1° and thick frost everywhere. As I drove up passed Abercrave it looked like a winter wonderland, all the trees white with frost. I’m thinking this is going to be a really cold swim but by the time I’d dropped down the valley into Glynneath all the frost had gone. Not so bad after all. Air temp 1°. Judith and I stood on the edge of the lake,  half undressed, neither of  us wanting to take off our jumpers 🤣. We decided we probably wouldn’t be able to swim for long, if at all, but we’d get in and see how it was. The water actually didn’t feel that bad. I’m pretty sure it was colder last week when the bouys were still covered in frost. There was no frost on them today. At a guess I’d say the water temp was about 6°, so technically warmer in the water than out. Don’t get me wrong, it was really freaking cold, but it felt so good. We ended up swimming all the way round the bouys for 20 minutes. It was absolutely fantastic. Really happy to get 20 minutes swim done, means I don’t need to do any other exercise today. (My challenge is to complete at least 20 minutes a day).

Thursday January 9th – Decided to go for another run tonight. I actually really wanted to and was looking forward to getting out there. It was another frosty night with slippy paths so I had to be careful. Opted to go down the road, so ran to CME and back. Another run without walking and this time it felt really good. My legs felt loads better than Monday and I was going at a slightly faster pace. Really enjoyed this run, and I don’t say that very often. Total time running 23 minutes.

Friday January 10th – Today’s workout was combined with work, as I had to take Ralph for a walk. We walked all the way down Rhiwfawr hill onto Heol Twrch, up the road to the Old Post Office, across the bridge to the Ffynnon Well and back onto Rhiwfawr Hill. Then the steep walk all the way back up the hill. Such a good workout, that hill is a killer. I think Ralph was pulling me up 🤣 Total walking time 30 minutes.

Saturday January 10th – A rare pleasure today, my wife joined me for a walk. That doesn’t happen often enough. We were looking after three miniature schnauzers so took them all for a short walk along the cycle path up Cae Hopkin. I love walking this path, the views always amaze me, and in the distance you could still see snow on some of the mountains. Stunning. Only a 25 minute walk today, that was long enough for Leanne.

Sunday January 12th – No swim today as Judith was busy so I opted for a walk instead. I had been up to the house in Abercrave to check on the building work and wanted to walk nearby. I spur of the moment decided to walk up the Sleeping Giant. I have wanted to walk up there for 37 years since I’ve lived in Wales and have always been scared of getting lost! So today I decided I would just walk a little way up the path and see how it looked. It wasn’t scary and I didn’t think it possible to get lost, so I carried on going up, and up and up. Passed lots of sheep and an old ruin of a stone house. The views were amazing. I kept on going up and now I’d gone so far I was determined to get to that trig point. The last bit was pretty steep up a grass track and there were loads of wild horses at the top. Omg the views were spectacular. A 360° view of mountains in the distance, you could see for miles and miles. It was absolutely stunning, and so peaceful. The descent was a lot quicker and I jogged most of the way down, which was fun. So so happy to have finally gone up the Sleeping Giant. Will definitely do it more often now I know how, and may even take a different route next time. Perfect way to end the week 💪

Brilliant week, I really had to dig deep a couple of days and just get out there, and I am so glad I did. This challenge has already made me do more than I would normally. Looking forward to seeing what happens next week….