Fifteen miles

In terms of distance, my running took some fairly discreet steps. I started out unable to run even a mile without some serious struggles; oddly located aches and pains, and a taste of iron filings around the back of my teeth, which in itself was enough to put me off doing it again.

However, when I went to do a contract at Bradford and Bingley, in the absence of any other readily available exercise, I reluctantly took up running, starting at two and a half miles a week. I hated this but plugged away and after a few months I stepped up to running five miles, starting one day between Christmas and new year, when most people were off work. 

That spring, I moved up to nine miles and then, in May, I took on the Kirkby Lonsdale 12 (an event that only lasted for one more year, sadly). I guess that was 1996 or 1997. 

A few years later, my brother and I did the Great Cumbrian North Run (or whatever it's called), which was a half marathon around Carlisle, and that probably would have been far enough for me except that one time a few years ago Dan went to a birthday near Beetham and I elected to go for a run while he was there. To cut a long story short, I got lost and ended up running just over fourteen miles. 

Lately, the belated discovery of the benefits of hydration (via the Camelbak) and the Nike Frees have led to me getting back up to those longer distances. I did a half marathon about four weeks ago and 13.75 miles last Saturday. 

Today, I set off with a slightly longer distance in mind, related to Dan's birthday, tomorrow. A couple of years ago, I was only able to see him for breakfast on his birthday and, to distract myself, I ran thirteen miles in the evening. Dan's joke since has been that I should always run his age on his birthday. 

To be honest, I wasn't sure I could make fifteen miles today, so I picked a route - Kearstwick, Rigmaden, Old Town, Hophouse Lane, Low Biggins, the path by the Lune, Underley, and home - which gave me a number of options for bailing out if necessary but I'm happy to say that I made it all the way 'round.

And then it was a shower, a nap, some shopping and tidying up with Abi, and then Charlie and Hannah pitched up, Dan arrived home from work, and we started the birthday celebrations.

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