A close-up view of a fallen log in a forest, covered with clusters of orange-brown mushrooms. The mushrooms vary in size and shape, creating a textured appearance against the log. Green moss can be seen interspersed among the fungi, adding a touch of color to the earthy tones of the bark and leaves.
❝When my watch taunts me with the label “Unproductive,” I’ll do my best to run at the intensity and duration that feels right on any given day, and I’ll sub in “Joyous” or “Satisfying” or “Not Too Bad Given All the Other Shit Going On” for the training status label.
—Sarah Lavender Smith https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahrunning/p/your-watch-isnt-smarter-than-you?r=1n6v12
While out running today I realised that I've passed my second year since I started to run. Even I, find it hard to believe that I would take up running. Hated the idea never saw anyone with a smile on their face, just miserable, that might be because I've only seen runner in towns before. Along with the knowledge that in the past if I ran for the ice cream van or the night bus, I would have had a knee moaning at me for a week afterwards.
Now I booked myself into a trail marathon and been running 3-6 times a week, anything up to 22km. The only two injuries I've had was a dream where I kicked a monster, I was protecting Doctor Who you see, and really hurt my big toe again the wall, and Paddy headbutting my knee in rough play. Other than that it's been bee stings, nettle burns and bramble cuts, which is just part of the fun ;)
And with a run like today it just couldn't get any better, brilliant trail and that view. See you out there on the trails.
Paddy the Irish mutt enjoying the view from a rocky outcrop looking down the valley we just climbed up, to the left and the right we have small mountains tops sticking up with trees growing on the sides. In the distance we can see the flat lands below and some low clouds now bye skies today. My running stats imprinted on top
After two and a half weeks of running on snow and ice covered trails and paths it was nice to see that the cycle paths leaving town were almost snow and ice free. So I did a rolling hills run on those paths. A welcomed break from having to use spikes for last 20 days. Though 35 minutes into the run it started to snow again 😂. Luckily only a few millimeters of powder that was blown away by the icy winds.
Another few hundred meters of EG. ⛰️
The last kilometer going back home is always humbling. No matter from which side I come I have to do 85m on 1km. 🫣
The best fueling during or after outdoor activities in the winter is warm blåbärssoppa (blueberry soup).. I usually like it a bit more concentrated mix. Cooking water and blend the powder into it. Done.
Blåbärssoppa is also served during the Vasaloppet - the 90km cross country skiing event on the first weekend in March. They do about 50000 liters. The soup dates back to 1922 when it was first served/used.
The heatmap for trail running is pretty accurate for the typical areas I have available.
You can download your planned route as a GPX file and then use it with your non-Suunto device.
And as DC Rainmaker states:
“Suunto’s New Routeplanner Site Hands-On: Totally free, no account required!?! It seems rare in 2026 (or anytime this decade) for a new web platform to be launched that allows you to create routes, save those routes as files, and more…all without paying for it. Or, even more notably, without creating a single account. But here we are – with Suunto’s Routeplanner that was launched in December. I’ve been playing with it since launch, and it’s actually pretty darn cool.”
Today's #sundayRunday was as pleasantly unwinding as always, but it only yielded a photo of a flare stack from a wastewater treatment plant, so nothing to share today. 😄
As much as I hate tarmac I was glad for it today. We had a spot of rain over night and Spanish soil doesn't half stick when it is just a bit moist. It's nearly to the ratio of 2 steps to 100g of mud. And trying to stomp it off only glues it more to your shoes. The choice to stay on tarmac were also "helped" by the bangs and barking dogs coming from the direction the trails would take us.
Paddy in the middle of a innocent looking gravel track but the soil is gluemud. The track leads towards the mountains in the background with olive trees and other fruits trees on both sides blue skies above. My running stats imprinted on top
Small forest stream flowing over moss-covered rocks with a fallen log forming a low bridge, surrounded by dense evergreen trees, ferns, and leafy plants in the foreground.
A close-up shot of a snow-covered branch. The snow glistens in the sunlight, creating a soft, white contrast against the dark silhouette of the branch. The background features blurred tree trunks, enhancing the focus on the snow.
Woke up, took the mutts for their morning constitution in beautiful blue skies and sunshine. Put the kettle on for my breakfast looked out the window and couldn't see more that a few meters through the fog. Started to get ready for a run as the fog cleared to reveal that some hunters had rocked up with about 12 lose dogs ...
So after a small relocation I managed to run around an area where early humans have lived in caves and Paddy wasn't too sure about running through a waterfall that was flowing over the path.
Paddy the Irish mutt sitting on a path in a wood, just before a small bridge which is now halfway covered in a waterfall which gave us both wet feet as we crossed.. My running stats imprinted on top
Forest undergrowth with broad green leaves dotted with small white four-petaled flowers, brown fern fronds across the bottom, and tall bright green fern fronds rising in the center against a leafy background.
Hmmm on the 3rd of January 2026, I might do something stupid.
I know I've said it here that I don't really like the idea of the public and organised events. Along with that I don't run for Splits, PB or Pace I run for time spent outside.
This is the first run I've seen that don't have the perceived pressure of a mass run, that I hate the idea off. Looks like a jolly fun, in a lovely location, not on dreaded road/tarmac, and it includes something I enjoy now and again.
I know I've done a HM with 200m more up, than this Full Dram, in 3h45m, with the 40+ stiles, gates and livestock to navigate. I'm sure if I didn't have to deal with that, I could probably do the run in 3 hours and if it was flatter I could probably squeeze in under 3 hours.
If I do, I got 10 months to get more time into my legs and do longer runs. Dropping about 5kg would help too. I know from my cycling days how to fuel and what my body needs/wants and can handle when doing long distances, so that's not a learning curve.
The biggest problem is that I'm not allowed to bring my running partner and I know that will feel weird.
Photo looking east, before sunrise, at a clearing in the woods. The scene is framed by the dark silhouettes of trees. At the center, the horizon is bathed in red-orange light. Above, the sky is beginning to turn blue.
I don't do Crimbo, though a marzipan advent calendar wouldn't hurt ;) I just saw this fella talking about doing a running advent calendar, 1km per day extra, so on day one 1km, day two 2km, day three 3km etc all the way up to day 24. (Yes, even if I don't do Crimbo, it is on the 24th not this silly 25th thing that some people do, mmm'kay)
I'm sure some of the runners on here would be crazy enough to join in ;)
When I came upon this stretch of trail on Wedekind, the sun was shining through the canopy just so, and the entire section was bathed in a chartreuse light. The photo doesn't do that lighting any justice, but it's still a pretty scene of a lush temperate forest doing its thing in summer 💚
A narrow dirt path winds through a dense forest, flanked by tall trees and lush ferns. Sunlight filters through the vibrant green leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The canopy is thick, with branches reaching upwards, contrasting against the clear blue sky.
A somewhat new route back from the garage, it's getting harder to find a route that does not include cows. I had managed to walk on the edge of one field to avoid them. The other herd I didn't see them until they poked their head up over the hill. It got a bit hairy as they were all curious and started to follow us. No matter what route we took they just came closer and closer. But what scared Paddy the most was the Alpaca's who came storming towards us and made the funniest sounds.
10 or so Alpaca's looking at us from the other side of the fence, Paddy wasn't sure about them and then wanted to run away. My running stats imprinted on top
The Strava memes showing up now after they have started to fight the hand that feeds them (Garmin, among others) are correct and funny. This one even made it into an article on The Guardian.
Wednesday I raced the Atlanta Track Club Grand Prix Cross Country 5k.
Even though I faded hard on the third mile, my strategy for that mile was just to “hold on.” I hit my strategy on the first two miles, so technically I hit my strategy for the whole race.
8min of “States of Elevation: Colorado Unfiltered” and Kilian scrambling, jumping, hiking, running, cycling from summit to summit.
“One state, 16 days, 56 summits: a journey stitched together by legendary routes, iconic peaks, and a vibrant local community showing up all along the way.”
Strava goes bonkers and is apparently drunk by filing a lawsuit against Garmin. Get some 🍿to either watch the video or read the article or both. Glad I gave up on Strava last year after their API and AI fiasco. And them going for an IPO will not make things better.