I’ve had one of those weeks where I’ve just wanted to stay indoors in front of the fire and not do anything. Feeling amazing though for pushing through and getting out there. Nothing exciting but I did it.

Monday January 20th – I was planning on going for a run as soon as I got home from work, but in all honesty I just didn’t feel like it. And then I started to feel hungry so I decided to have dinner and go later. It was 9pm and I was thinking damn I’ve got to go out and get my exercise done, I don’t feel like running now so I’ll just walk. I went outside and it was so cold I decided to run after all as it would be warmer. But I still wasn’t feeling it so I told myself run for 10 minutes and then turn around, and just get those 20 minutes done. I kept looking at my watch, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes oh my days 10 minutes seemed to take forever. Then I got to 10 minutes and I was only round the corner from where I would normally turn around, so I decided to push on and keep going. Got to the turn around lamp post in 14 minutes and then ran back. Really pleased to get a 27 minute run done, no walking.

Tuesday January 21st – I needed to go to Ystalyfera Rugby Club to watch my mum play darts, so instead of driving I walked there. It was a perfect walk as it took me exactly 20 minutes. Lovely dry cold evening. My mum unfortunately lost in the final (captains cup) and I wimped out on walking home and had a lift!

Wednesday January 22nd –

Combining work with exercise and today I had to walk Gus for one hour. We went down the path to the 2 bridges, crossed the bridges up into the woods, this took us up some steps that led to a field full of sheep. I opted to not walk through this and turned back. Headed up into ynyswen, round the estate and the playing fields, then down a path back into Abercrave. Was a lovely walk, I really enjoy walking Gus.

Thursday January 23rd – Today was supposed to be a run day but I genuinely could not be bothered to get undressed and changed into my running kit! So I went for a walk round the block, down to Tesco, along the path and back up in a loop. Was a lovely walk, again no rain and not too cold.

Friday January 24th – An unexpected day off work, but I had to walk Ralph, so I used this as my exercise for the day. I turn up at Ralph’s house, get him on the lead, head outside to start the walk, go to turn on my watch only to realise I am not wearing my watch!! Omg, what a fool, I had left it on charge in the house. Slight panic as I really wanted to record the walk so I wouldn’t have to go out again today, and then I realised I could walk home with Ralph and retrieve my watch. So we walked all the way down Rhiwfawr, along the road to my house, I put on my watch, press record and walked all the way back up the hill to Ralph’s house. The walk took 30 minutes but the watch obviously only recorded 15. Good enough for me, at least I got to record something for the day.

Saturday January 25th – Parkrun day! OMG I overslept, woke at 8.23! Somehow managed to get dressed, defrost the van and get to parkrun just in time for the briefing at the start. I really wanted to be at the briefing as today was my 25th parkrun and I got a shoutout for hitting this milestone. It was a really cold frosty morning with quite a few patches of ice. The temperature was -1°.  As it was my 25th I wanted to see if I could run the whole 5km without walking, something I’ve not managed to do in over a year. This was just a test of my ability as I had been running 3kms in training. Well to my amazement I ran the whole way, nearly died on the way back as the neverending incline was wrecking me. I pushed on and sprinted for the finish line, getting in at 39 minutes 35 seconds!!!! A new all time personal best!! The first time I’ve ever ran under 40minutes with my previous pb being 41 minutes 14 seconds. Absolutely over the moon with this, I never thought it would happen. I had actually set it as my target for the year and after just 3 weeks of exercise and on my first attempt to run 5km non stop, I did it!! Shocked myself. New target now 35 minutes haha.

Feeling good about myself and full of energy, I went for a walk in the afternoon with Leanne and the dogs. We had Teddy for daycare so was nice to all get out for a short walk up the line in Cae Hopkin. And we saw a Rainbow which just completes my day 😁🌈

Sunday January 26th – My day didn’t go as planned, I was hoping for a swim and a mountain hike, but yet another storm but my plans out the window. A day indoors instead. I needed to see someone about a dog at 4pm on the next street up. The rain had stopped so I made the most of this opportunity and walked there and then walked the long way home around the block to get my 20 minutes exercise done for the day. It was actually so good to stretch the legs and get some fresh air. It was a really nice afternoon after all the rain we’d had all day. Loved the walk, was gutted when I got back to the house 🤣

And that completes another week. I have to say I am already starting to feel so much fitter and really enjoying this challenge, even if some days are a struggle to motivate myself to get out. I’ve always enjoyed it after making that effort. In life we regret the things we don’t do, not the things we do. Always keep making the effort 😁💪

Total time exercising this week 4hrs 13 minutes plus the 15 minutes I didn’t record 😁