…well not all of it because that would be just short of 70 miles and that’s insane.
I’ve always had a hefty commute. I’m used to driving an hour each way to work every day and I’ve done this for the last 17 years.
Until this week. I’m currently in-between cars, which means relying on public transport. Living in rural Yorkshire means buses are few and far between (every 2 hours) meaning the train was the best option. I work 3 miles from the station so would mean taking 2 further buses or a run there and back.
I’ll run, it’s quicker, it’s only around 10k a day…. here is how my week went.
Monday:
I have to get up and leave the house an hour earlier. Not too bad, with the lighter mornings. Made the train in plenty of time, no stress of driving/traffic – plus you get a free paper! It’s a nice day. My quickest times of the week. Felt energised by the time I got to work. Went out for ‘runch’ smashed out another 4 hilly miles.
Tuesday:
Having to run with everything in my bag is a bit tricky. Maybe I should only eat light food so my lunch weighs less. I’m wearing my black trainers for work so I don’t have to carry another pair of shoes. It’s raining – turns out my waterproof jacket isn’t that waterproof. Arrive at work looking like I’m entering a wet t-shirt competition. Why is it all uphill on the way back? I swear it’s got hillier since yesterday. Elevation wise it’s the equivalent of 37 flights of stairs. Train delayed – I could’ve walked that last hill.
Wednesday:
Rain again. I don’t mind running in the rain – I prefer it to heat, but when you have to sit at a desk for 8.5 hours with wet hair it’s a different story. I wonder if I can fit a travel hair dryer in my bag? Gave ‘runch’ a miss today, I hadn’t dried out from the morning. On the way home there had been an accident so I ran quicker than the traffic was moving. I felt like Paula Radcliffe determined to race the black X5 that was curb crawling me. I beat it to the station – train delayed again.
Thursday:
My calves hurt, must be the hills. I’m going to have great legs after a few weeks of doing this. It’s raining again, I thought we had good weather in August? I wonder if I’ve lost any weight? (I must have, hills are tough). One of my earphones has broken so I’m only hearing half of the song. I was kindly offered a lift to the station on the way back – I took it. One less hill and managed to get an earlier train, because, guess what – it was delayed! #winning
My trainers stink from running in the rain. Febreze hasn’t worked so I put them in the washer on a delicate wash. They’ve now shrunk – oops
Friday:
No one makes eye contact or speaks on trains, everyone just sits and stares at their phone. Is this what society has become? It’s very quiet. I’m glad it’s Friday – nice morning, great run in. New iPod playlist. Wearing new trainers today after last night’s mishap. Bright purple ones. – there is no mistaking these bad boys. Slow run back – struggling with the hills today. I’m exhausted. Train delayed again. Does Northern Rail ever run on time?
[line]
A weekly total of 42 miles. This is more than when I was marathon training. I’m really enjoying the morning run in, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. The evening, not so much – it’s all uphill and I daren’t sit next to anyone on the (delayed) train as I’m paranoid I smell. Weight update: I haven’t lost anything, this can’t be right. 😂
No update on the new car. So I’ll be buying another weekly train pass. Let’s see if I can beat any of this weeks times. Volkswagen; if you are reading this – you are probably doing me a huge favour fitness wise – but can you please get a shift on with my new motor! Thanks.
