Thursday 1st December 

#95 done this morning.

Had a sore knee since yesterday, happened after training session with Marcus.

I strapped it and smothered it with deep heat.

It was a very icy cold morning and I made sure I did an extended warmup.

Had to combine the run with work once again because of limited free time.

Trained Rob in Greenfields, intervals for 4k and a 5k loop up Ellesmere Rd, down Mount Pleasant into Ditherington and back to Greenfields.

Then I was off on my own, ran to Town into the Quarry, and in Coleham bumped into Jenny who just finished her run and was heading back home. We ran together up Belvue Rd for roughly half a km and then I carried on all the way to the top and turned onto Roman Rd and back down Longden Rd where I took a little detour into the Graveyard, took some photos and carried on towards Town Centre.

Crossed the Greyfriars Bridge for the second time and ran along the River towards Castlefields and back home.

My knee survived the test, it’s a bit clicky and aches a little, it’s not an injury or even a minor injury, more like a major niggle 😀
It’s not surprising as with this run my mileage so far this year including parkruns and training runs has passed the 1500 mile mark!!!
No toots to mention, but on km 10 saw Kate running on Smithfield Rd.
Was probably my slowest run so far at 1:55′, but took it easy because of my knee and because most of the pavements were icy.
Only 65 miles of the challenge left, easy peasy 🙂

Next run is on Sunday.

Sunday 4th December 

#96 done this morning at Haughmond Hill.

For the first time ever I’ve completed a half marathon distance off road !

I don’t make it easy on myself, but I’ve been toying with the idea for a while now but was always convinced I couldn’t complete it in under 2 hours like my challenge requires.

Weather been dry for a while now so I knew the ground wouldn’t be muddy.

And from taking dogs for walks up there I knew that the Blue trail walk was 4Km long and took you to the top of the hill. So I added a detour that also took you to a different top of the hill and increased the loop to 5km.

Ran the lap four times and added the short Yellow trail walk at the end for the extra km.

After the first lap I got worried because it took me 27 minutes to complete it, was hard to negotiate where to land my feet, avoiding stones, holes, puddles and big roots sticking from the ground, plus my shoes where definitely not suitable for trail running.

The second lap was four minutes faster, my brain was faster at negotiating a safe path for my feet 🙂

It was tough, but I do like a challenge and I really enjoyed it, enjoyed the amazing views and even though weather was cold it felt perfect for running with beautiful blue skies.

Place was very busy, had to constantly avoid dogs and little children running around.

Found the giant Stickman ( already knew where he was), took lots of photos and selfies.

Like I said earlier I enjoyed the different experience and maybe after London next year I might try a fell race or trail half marathon race, but I’m not converted yet, I’m still a RoadRunner 😀
Only 52 miles to go ! 1258 miles done of challenge and this week I also reached another running milestone : over 1500 miles of running in 11 months 

Thank you for all the donations so far, fundraising is looking good a £1209 🙂
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 : over £1200 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 and for posting my blog on UkSportsChat website 
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 and for sponsoring my Adidas Bounce running shoes. 

RRR (beep beep)

Website: http://www.rikfitness.co.uk
  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100halfmarathons2016/ 
Instagram: @RikRoadRunner
Twitter: @RikRoadRunner
Email: riccardo@rikfitness.co.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner