This week started with what I thought were two broken toes, which were the absolute last straw. Parent still in hospital on the other side of the world, London still in Lockdown and a list of other things which – on their own – would be completely managable, if they hadn’t snowballed into a giant pity party.
Then, the calm came. An acceptance that; yes, things are shitty, but there is only so much in your control.
And I ran in the rain.
The Stats:
Mon 9 Nov 2020 | PM | Outdoor | 2.8km | 7’19” pace |
Tues 10 Nov 2020 | PM | Outdoor | 4.2km | 7’15” pace |
Thu 12 Nov 2020 | AM | Outdoor | 2.4km | 8’15” pace |
Fri 13 Nov 2020 | PM | Outdoor | 5.0 km | 7’46” pace |
Total distance | 14.4 km |
Heart health –
- Resting heart rate – 67 bpm (previous week: 69 bpm)
- Fitbit ‘cardio fitness’ rating – 34 : “average” (previous week: same)

Observations:
My breathing has been much better this week – probably a combo of the above, and my improving fitness – and I can really feel the difference. It doesn’t necessarily show in the runs, but look at that change in my resting heart rate!
I’m also learning a lot about what does(n’t) serve my body. In particular: hydration. I can run for half an hour without a water bottle (which would have been unheard of two weeks ago!) but I struggle to do it on morning runs – presumably because I’m not drinking water throughout the night, whereas I’m fully hydrated when I head out in the evenings after work. Makes sense, of course, but it’s helpful to know in the training toward a much longer, early morning race.