#54 Monday 4th July

#54 done, 46 left 🙂

Was supposed to run yesterday but had to work in the morning and I’m not a fan of running late in the day. This means I might have to run 3 this week !

Route was simple,I alternated a big loop and a small one of Ellesmere Rd and Herongate Estate, and ran a total of 12 laps.

Started at 12pm and was very warm, (I know I said in the past that I would never start a run at midday again, but life got in the way and had no choice !).

Weather changed very quickly and blue skies turned grey, but was still very warm.

Got a toot on mile one, was a white car but couldn’t tell who it was.

On mile 5 Ali tooted and waved, then John Biffo on Hubert Way, Jordan on mile eight and on mile ten ran past Claire. I also saw Julie H. a few times delivering the post on the estate.

707 miles done and 603 left, easy peasy 🙂

Next one (#55) on wednesday and when I get to #58 I will have a week break (maybe)

#55 Thursday 7th July 

#55 done early this morning (1160 km done and 950 km to go!)

Was very humid, took it easy because my legs felt heavy from monday’s run and strength training workout.

Ran from home into town and up The Mount and all the way to Montford Bridge and back.

Very undulating route, coming back was tough with a one km climb, pavement had shrunk because of overgrown hedges, nettles and weeds so had to run on the road and move to the side every time a car was coming, very annoying !

Was pleased to see there’s a bridge in Montford Bridge 😀

Took usual selfies along the way.

I enjoy running in those parts but last few miles I slowed down a lot, and along Smithfield Rd I caught up with Owen Thompson, he was walking back from college, I asked him if he wanted to run the last mile with me and he obliged 🙂

Running with someone gave me a boost and last mile was one of my fastest !

Saw Lee Riding with Isabella and they waved.

Finished in 1: 45′ , not too bad 🙂

After a quick shower and a banana I took my Beagles for an hour walk, perfect cool down after a long warm run 😀

parkrun is next, a pacer event and will be pacing at 20′ and #56 will be on Monday.

#56 Thursday 11th July 

I ran #56 at midday today, was muggy and humid to start with then it got very windy towards the end.

I improvised the route, had a rough idea of where I wanted to go, but kept adding new alleyways and bicycle lanes that I haven’t ran before.

Last few runs have made me realise that it’s taking me longer to recover from my previous run.

Legs felt heavy and it took a few miles to get going at a decent pace.

It was tough, route was tough and I also added three miles of off-road route around the Bayston Hill Quarry.

No toots to mention this time, took a few photos and will post them soon 🙂

I completed it in 1:45′ , not bad considering it felt like a struggle, maybe I’m just ready for a break. 

Two more this week then I’m off on holiday where I will only run a couple of 5k distances.
734 miles done and money raised so far is £768, slightly ahead of £1 per mile target 🙂

#57 Thursday 14th July 

#57 completed this morning.

The second one this week and after only two days recovery.

I said in my previous post that after reaching the halfway point of my challenge it has taken me longer to recover and it’s still the same.

First 6 miles I ran at a decent pace and slowed down around halfway point.
I ran my 57th different route this year: I started from home towards town and Silvia tooted as she drove by, ran along Smithfield Rd , up The Mount, left into Roman Rd, down Longden Rd and left into the Quarry where I saw Lee on his bike with Isabella, that was on km 9.

Up Copthorne Rd then into Radbrook where I saw Matt running on the other side of the road and waved.

Down Longden rd for the second time, stopped for a few photos and selfies.

Into Abbey Forgate, Castle Walk then along the River passed the Weir, and back home.
1203 km so far, 907 to go! 

One more run on sunday then I will take a break from long runs whilst on holiday 🙂

#58 Sunday 17th July 
Yeayyy, I’m officially on holiday now, no long runs for 10 days.

#58 done this morning/afternoon, slow pace, was too hot and tried to conserve energy from the start, wasn’t easy. Distracted myself by taking lots of photos and selfies and tried to catch a few Pokemons too 😀 , very addictive game and kept me busy during my run 🙂

My battery was depleting quickly though so by halfway I quit messing about and concentrated on the running.

Started at 11am and was already too warm, ran from estate to Greenfields where I saw Julie and the beagles, then to Ditherington where I got a toot from Jordan and Jemma and on Telford Way went offroad towards Caslefields along Sidney Avenue, crossed onto Abbey Forgate up Oatley Rd, then right towards Meole Brace, up and down evil Roman Rd where I saw Emma, Steve and the kids on their bikes on km 9. Then I turned to Radbrook, ran the length of Bank Farm Rd and turned back when I got to km 10.5

With one mile to go, back in Ditherington on Km 19 I got a toot from Alan Cunningham and he shouted “It’s too hot to be doing this!” and I replied that I only had one mile left 🙂

Was glad to complete it, was my third half this week plus a 5k, 43 miles in seven days !!

760 miles done and 550 to go, I’m off to Aruba for a break, next one(#59) should be on Thursday 28th of July 
To sponsor me please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-Roadrunner

Time to say my thankyous : 
1. to all who encourage me and wish me good luck, like and share my social media posts
2. to all who sponsored me so far : £768 plus gift aid raised so far 
3. to Gareth Connell from Purity Lifestyle Studio in Wellington for free massage on my calves
4. Joe Williams from UKRunChat for free entry at Shrewsbury Half Marathon 
5. Up& Running shop in Shrewsbury for big discount on new Running Shoes
6. Susan Bowes for selling her extra M.Drayton 10k and Derby Half entry and donating the money to Cancer Research uk
7. My Family for patience and support and for listening all day to my numbers and stats
8. My brother at La Lanterna restaurant for putting a poster up to raise a bit more 
9. To Joe Brocklehurst for looking after my legs for a discounted rate and also a complimentary treatment 
10. To Sandra ( my mother in law) for helping me raise from family and friends 
11. To Gareth Mapp at Lifestyle Fitness for letting me put up a sponsor form on notice board to raise cash from members and staff

RRR (beep beep)

Website: http://www.rikfitness.co.uk
  
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Email: riccardo@rikfitness.co.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner