Today's run'n'sniff with Irish mutt. He really enjoys it, but easy does it for him still. He found a stick at the end and told it what is what, but it retaliated by leaving much bark on his tongue, which annoyed him ;)

696miles done, 304miles to go!

Today's run as meh, just didn't have it in me. Couldn't get into it. Had a few slow weeks - admin, travelling and weather - but the runs had been good and I enjoyed them. But today nope, nada, no, nej. Wanted to go out and looked forward to get the run done before the worst of the weather hit us. Just didn't get going. I think it's because that I've been good with getting enough protein in me, just totally forgot an didn't eat or drink enough beforehand today. Still managed 4.5km run'n'sniff with added play with small mutt.

670miles done, 330miles to go!

Snow man, done. Sadly the big mutt didn't read my memo about yellow snow ...

653miles done, 347miles to go!

The m'home had to go in for a service so I decided to run back from the garage. Set off in thick icy fog and ended up looking down at the frosty fog below. This run was only "ruined" by a detour around a farm, they were bringing in the cows, so going on the footpath through the farm might not be a grand idea with a mutt. So we detoured through a field with deep mud. Mutt wasn't happy that she needed a hose down at the end, even if the water was warm.

650miles done, 350miles to go!

Two loops around with the mutts, one lap each. Fresh morning and a great view of Pendle Hill and Colne in the fog.

637miles done, 363miles to go!

Hit a massive milestone today. Never in a million years would I have thought this was possible. I, who always thought that running was only to get first in the ice cream queue, started to run on a regularly basis and not after ice cream vans.

I know, crazy and for yet to be determined reasons, I also came up with the idea of running a thousand miles in one year, and that was dreamt up without the help of alcohol too. Just how and why did I do that, I dunno, I clearly need to have a talk with myself over a stiff drink or two, to come to the bottom of this sillyness.

Yet, it clearly did help, because I have now run just over a thousand kilometers, 1000km, a million meters, in under 10 months.

I know it's not 1000 miles but it's a fecking milestone still, especially when I've always been wary about my knees and lower back when doing dumb things, like sportsball in the park after a few pints. Heck even when cycling.

Don't think I'll get to the original target but I'm well and truly chuffed that I did this, yes there was walking up the hills and still is. But I now know that I can run 10 miles without needing a lift.

Like a ultra runner I saw on a video/podcast said - totally plagiarizing his words here - I (he didn't really like running) run because I want to be able to do other things (e.g. be able to go on a hike camping trip without being bollocksed afterwards).

I run, so I can walk my dogs, get up hills and eat cake without worrying about it.

Does this make me a runner?

622miles done, 378miles to go!

First run on the beach with the new mutt. Went well in that sense that EVERYTHING is the best thing EVER! So he ran backwards, left around me and then right into me, before diving into the next bit of seaweed, to bolt thataway <point in a random direction> ... and repeat in ad infinitum ;)

611miles done, 389miles to go!

#TrailRunning #1000miles #Running #MastodonRunning #RunningWithDogs #RunnersOfMastodon #Ireland #AdoptDontShop#BeachRunning

Not much running of late, weather vs work vs admin put a spanner into the works. But today was just a small short run, even if planned route was a no go. Because new running partner had hurt his paw in the dog pound were we got from two weeks ago. So we are taking it easy, also he is still too young for longer runs.

602miles done, 398miles to go!

Ran on a great Greenway, through a tunnel over a few viaducts down to a view over the sea. But why is it when on tarmac other runners don't say hi or wave? Saw five others and only one waved back. On forest, mountain or moore trails or tracks the wave back is nearly, if not, 100%

595miles done, 405miles to go!

There's leprechauns in them there hills

586miles done, 414miles to go!

It's leaf kicking season \o/ Though the sound did scare the mutt a wee bit at first.

Oh, I'm trying out my lass' leggings as it was a bit nippy this morning.

581miles done, 419miles to go!

Hmm didn't find any Guinness in this Irish woodland, I was sure they roamed wild like the Haggis in Scotland, they must be more shy.

578miles done, 422miles to go!

First real autumn run and the mutt wasn't to happy about it, even in her fabulous new coat.

569miles done, 431miles to go!

Probably one of my best runs, brilliant route, just the right amount of up Vs down, forest track Vs forest trail, forest Vs open and the views over Upper Loch Torridon towards Beinn Alligin.

One to visit again! If you are nosey here it is
https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/torridon-185778928

546miles done, 454miles to go!

Sometimes you can go off a country, how am I expected to run here. I mean look at this, impossible to run when Scotland turns out like this. You just have to stand and look at this glorious splendiferous awesomeness of a stunning country.

536miles done, 464miles to go!

Taking two days off after protecting Doctor Who with drop kicking monsters. Clearly is the best preparation for a PB. Over 3 min faster on the 5K, tailwind on half of it and pan flat helped a bit too.

It came as a bit of a surprise too, looked at the watch and said numbers I've never seen before 4.2K and 28'ish min. It normally shows ~40min at the same distance and much much more up than today's 4m.

521miles done, 479miles to go!

Today's run, trying to set a mile record a beach in St Andrews, Ha! Had to be postponed, because I was protecting Doctor Who with drop kicking monsters away, in my dream.

The wall bore the brunt of this kick and resulted in a rather painful big toe. Walking the mutts is slow, hoppled and not comfortable at all.

So I had to go and get some "painkillers" from the excellent baking baked goods bakery, that is Fisher & Donaldson, in form of their every so nommy cream filled fudge doughnuts, burp.

518miles done, 482miles to go!

I've been thinking if I should be an all year runner I might need to invest in some leggings. But why is leggings in the Ford T category, any colour you want as long as it's black. Especially if you look for male running leggings. Can we get some colours, please, or designs that's not fire, flames and go faster stripes. How does female leggings fit a male, because I would wear a design like these. Why is it that male leggings are black, is it for the same reason female trousers doesn't have pockets?

509miles done, 491miles to go!