Janathon - late to the starting line!

I've been a runner now for over 3 years.  Prior to that my main exercise was walking to the front door when the kebab/pizza delivery man called.  I completed week 1 run 1 of the Couch to 5k programme on 27th December 2009 aged 39 and subsequently enjoyed running during 2010 so much I overtrained, induced chronic plantar fascitis and finally tore my right achilles in November of that year.

From over 1000 miles in 2010 further foot and ankle issues have limited me to just below 450 miles in each of the last two years with me stopping completing and turning to cycling from May to November last year.

December saw me dust off the running gear and try a few slow, short runs, hopefully learning from my mistakes and not running every run like it was the last time I'd pull the trainers.

My reasons for attempting Janathon?  Well, to complete this I'll have to keep my runs short and in the main quite slow which strikes me as better for my physical limitations than the old practice of seeing how far I could go and how fast I could get back.

Late to the starting line?  Yep... I was on the second run of the year when I thought I'd have a go and see if I can do this.  I actually have quite a bit of holiday I will be taking in January so plenty of recovery time so, I thought, why not?

Anyway... the runs so far...

January 1st

3.25 miles : Brynamman to Rhosaman and back
Time : 30:53
Music : Maiden United "Across The Seventh Sea" (acoustic Iron Maiden covers!)

Notes :  A nice sunny day in South Wales for a change and given I was already nice and loose after spending the morning on a cycle ride, geocaching along Cycle Route 43 with my daughter I decided to get my 2013 mileage underway.

January 2nd

3.25 miles : Brynamman to Rhosaman and back (again!)
Time : 32:33
Music : None - just the sound of my own wheezing

Notes : Same route but slower than yesterday.  Reasons for that are threefold at least.  It was dark this time and foggy too.  The rain meant that after a few minutes my glasses were covered in raindrops and visibility was therefore even worse.  The big helping of Hunter's Chicken from a family lunch in Saundersfoot was perhaps not the best fuel either!