dannewton just finished a 30.22km run, that lasted for 192 minutes.
This run helped dannewton burn 2238.0 calories.
Description from Strava:
Well, I've been trying to head down to Whisby for for the last few weeks, and things kept getting in the way... mostly due to the weather. It was too cold, too wet or too icy. And then when the weather was on my side, I had other engagements, and didn't have the time...
Today, finally, the planets aligned!
It was Christmas Eve today, and we've already done most of the prep for the big day. We saw my family for a get-together yesterday, and we'll see my partners family on Boxing Day. My partner was working her last shift before xmas this afternoon, so I literally had nothing else better to do today
visiting family yesterday meant I couldn't go for the usual long run on Saturday, I guess I can do that today :-)
My partner was just doing the afternoon shift today, so after she headed out, I then got changed and headed out myself.
The route was identical to the last time I ran down here, (which was ages ago back in October). It basically features a long and fairly boring road down through North Hykeham, a pretty scenic circular route around the Nature Reserve, and then running all the way home again.
It works out at just about 30km, which is a decent distance by all accounts, long enough to be useful as part of my training, but not so long that I would need to spend to long recovering
Heading through Lincoln...
...and then down the very long Newark Road into North Hykeham
Eventually after just over an hour of urban plodding (and a quick dash crossing a very busy road) I arrived at the much more scenic Nature Reserve
I'll share the map here, more for your benefit than mine. I've visited (with either my parents or my partner) so often that I know exactly where I'm going, and where all the various marked trails lead
The site is an old quarry, and since it has closed down, the land has been taken over by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and given back to nature.
All the large holes (where the limestone was quarried) has since been filled with water, and its become an interesting and useful wetland habitat, that provides home for plenty of birds in the summer.
In the Winter there is not as much to see, but it's still a pleasant place to walk (or run) around for a couple of hours
Considering how mild and pleasant the weather was, and that today is a Sunday, I was surprised at how quiet it was. I know its Christmas Eve and everything, and maybe people are busy doing festive things together.
That was fine by me though, and other than a couple of dog walkers, I had most of these trails to myself, and was able to have some quiet time alone with my thoughts (and take a few pictures too)
Even though we are at the start of Winter, and everything looks a bit empty and bleak, it was still a nice place to run, and makes a welcome change from the usual places I run.
I've been trying to think of stuff to aim for next year in terms of running, and while there are a myriad performance goals I could choose, there are some more arbitrary things I want to aim for. One of those is to try to find more interesting places to run... not just new, but moving away from the stablished roads and pavement I normally stick to. I want to become more adventurous. There is a trail near me I can use, the Viking way... but I think I need to find somewhere further afield.
Anyway, an enjoyable and scenic 8km run later, it was time to head for home. One thing about starting a 'long run' so late in the day, is that I end up flighting a loosing about against the sun setting.
In fact before I knew it, the day turned to night, and I ran the last few kilometers home in the darkness.
I do have a headtorch of course, but I didn't have it with me today... because I didn't plan ahead lol! No excuses really as I had my running vest with me with a million pockets full of snacks, and gloves and a coat, I had plenty of room to pack a torch too.
Fortunately I was on the main roads by this point, and the streetlights gave me enough light to get home.
And when I did get home, I had just enough time for a quick shower, and I could start getting the house ready for my partner when she finished work.
It is approaching midnight now, and we are now all set and ready for the big day. In fact I might go to bed now, as the sooner I go to sleep, then the sooner I can wake up and see if Santa has been ;-)
I dunno if I'll be posting tomorrow, but if not then I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, or however you choose to celebrate the festive season
If you would like to check out this activity on strava you can see it here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/10431184727
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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