'Mature' runners.

Brilliant start to the day -  2 mile walk along the beach to see the colony of seals that have taken up residence in the bay. They breed at this time of year and the cubs are so cute. Then all the family round for a curry party .They are not staying to see the new year in though- and I won't be staying up either!

JJ - thank you for the advice and I will definitely take it up. I will do the first 6 miles tomorrow.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope that 2013 brings you all you could wish for.

We went as usual to the NYE run, John ran the 10km with Nemo, as both Charly and I can't do that yet we did the 5km Nordic Walking, I honestly thought it would take us about an hour but was astounded to finish in 41 minutes for 3rd place lady! Anyway, sitting here at the mo with a glass of wine (not my first of the night I have to admit),we plan to stay in with the dogs until midnight because we don't know yet how Charly will react to all the firework noise. He didn't turn a hair at the start gun today so maybe will be ok. Nemo doesn't have a problem with noise, he goes out on the balcony and watches the fireworks! We will go out up the road to our friends after the fireworks end.

Happy New year to everyone and may your sporting wishes all come true. Redhead, I wish you a "guten Rutsch ins NeuJahr".

Rain stopped mid-afternoon and as my cold seems to be no more than a sniffle I put in a final 2 miles for 2012.  I shan't be staying up late.

Matsmum - how lovely, to have a colony of seals within walking distance! 

BIW - Nordic Walking, that's a brilliant idea as i suppose it puts less of a strain on all the joints involved in walking and running. Had you done it before?

A Happy New Year to you all.

Yes Columba, I've been doing it all during my recovery time until I was allowed to start running again on 20 December.

Happy New Year!

A lovely bright sunny morning to start off the New Year Let's hope that those heavy rainy days are now behind us.

Didn't stay up to see the new year in, but heard lots of fireworks going off at midnight. There were none of the usual ships hooters, probably because of the weather warning keeping them off Southampton Water..

Beautiful morning here. Woke up rather jaded after all that curry,Christmas pud, cream and cheesecake.  But that is all SO last year!! 

Did as you suggested, JJ, and did 6 miles. Decided to start at 12.5 (!) and up speed by 30 secs every mile. Actually the first mile was 13, because I didn't feel so good, but after that it was great, and my last mile never crossed 9.4. The whole thing took 1-07 which was my target time. Happy now.

Time to look in the sales for some new trainers, I think. The old faithfuls are looking a bit sad.

Enjoy your day, everyone.  Bionic Ironwolf, are you saying you did 10k in 41 mins??  My God. That is amazing.

No no no - you read my post wrongly Matsmum! I Nordic Walked 5km in 41 mins. I have never in my life run faster than 46mins for a 10km and that was when I was many many years younger than I am now!

6km run this morning with Nemo, going to do some weights and core work now and maybe even pedal a bit on the bike trainer.

Hope everyone had a brilliant NYE and we wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2013.

Was quite sunny here this morning and I ran 2 and a bit miles (Garmin has given up so I don't know exactly how far, - must get something done about it).

Matsmum, that sounds like a very good start to the year.

Happy New Year everyone!

What a lovely start to the year with beautiful sunshine and  no rain for a change.  Did a tempo run on a hilly route.  Huffed and puffed up the hills then realised I'd not used my inhaler (ooops!) so was very pleased and somewhat surprised to finish my 5.5 miles in 55 minutes 

TE, Nooooooooooo - I'm not doing  a streak for the whole year, just 111 days around my birthday (age before (55) + age after (56) = 111) inbetween my 2 marathons!!!!!  Details on my blog if interested (just click on the link at the top of the page)

IW, excellent walking my dear.  Thanks for the good wishes.  Sadly, my German class didn't continue 'cos only 3 of us wanted to carry on - the others said it was too hard!!!  I'm dipping into a Michel Thomas course occasionally to try not to lose all the stuff I learnt.

Matsmum, how lovely to see seals nearby.

My little granddaughter who has just had her 14th birthday ran in a 10k race today and did it in 49 minutes! 

Redhead - what a shame.  To explain - a "Guten Rutsch" is what the Germans say to everyone on NYE, it literally means "a good slip or slide", i.e.  into the New Year. Now the greeting is "ein Gutes Neues Jahr" , or simply "Gutes Neues"

Oh I like "Gutes Neues"!  Thanks IW.  I'm determined not to lose the little I learnt 

Matsmum, wow, that's a very impressive time for her 10k!

Out all day today so taking it as a rest day from running.  Have a lovely day everyone.

Matsmum, that's a great time for a 14 year old. Looks like she has plenty of potential, provided she keeps it up.

I'm back at work, worse luck, John is off until the 17th! Not got my head on straight yet - I was thinking we were going out to eat with friends tomorrow night, but no, one of them reminded me that today is wednesday,  not tomorrow!

Back at work here in Derbyshire too.....hope you all enjoyed a holiday of some sorts.... on the hunt for some fell/trail running shoes...........Salomon Gore Tex or similar seeing as the sale is on! My Inov8s 330 mudclaws are giving me blisters on the heel, I have a heel spur which doesnt help..... Any one got Salomon? Adidas Kandia suggested too though they look heavy.

Mark, I've got Salomon Pro Plus 5s. My previous pair were Salomon Speedcross 2s.

Ran an easy pace 5 miles this morning.

Cheers Terence will try some on asap.

Well done, Matsmum's grand-daughter!

Didn't run today, - but did get out into the (soggy) garden to plant some daffodil bulbs which should have gone in ages ago and were beginning to sprout hopefully in their paper bag. And speaking of gardens, have a question for Red / JJ or anyone else who may know: my winter jasmine is flowering its socks off, I've never seen it so good (been here nearly 6 years now), - are all winter jasmines doing well this year? Has something about this year's weather suited them? - Or did I just happen to prune it at the optimal time?

TE, glad you're back out running.

Glad that most of us seem to have been able to see family members over Christmas.

Welcome Matsmum. I too started running (at 50) following a family bereavement (we lost our first grandson to Meningitis) and have kept going once started. I've now been running over eight years, and have completed 6 marathons over that time. The first was London to raise funds for Meningitis Trust, and I've done London twice more. I'm sure you can do it - I managed thr first time after 6 months training, and also on 3 runs a week, and would agree with JJ that the long runs are really important. I think doing them gives you the confidence that it is actually possible! You've certainly made a good start with a progressive 6 mile run 

Having thought I would give marathons a complete miss this year, I have a friend at my running club who has asked if I'd be prepared to do one later in the year as a challenge with her. I'm seriously contemplating Bournemouth on October 6th now, as it's nice and local!

Diana, thanks. the 5 days not running did me good, and I have come back to it refreshed. I am contemplating the CC6 at Badgers Farm, Winchester on Sunday, but am a bit apprehensive about falling again.