It's starting to feel a bit like Autumn....

I managed to get out for a lovely 11 mile run with Millie yesterday in spite of having a sore throat and streaming nose.... I took it gently, stopped to chat to dog walkers and take a few photographs.

It is definitely starting to look a bit like Autumn, the blackberries are ripening and most of the harvesting has been done around here although the fields haven't yet been ploughed. It was quite nice to find that the bull had been moved from the field he was in last week. I always feel a bit nervous running through there when I know he is about !

This is the longest run so far that Millie has done with me and judging by her behaviour for the rest of the day it didn't tire her out.... I have gradually been increasing the distance that she runs with me. She always tears on ahead and waits for me with a look on her face that seems to say "come on, what's keeping you !" Sometimes she picks up the scent of something and goes to investigate but doesn't stray far... she then races along to overtake me again.

I'm not sure how far she would run; I know the working cocker spaniels can be outside running around all day so I guess her breeding gives her quite a bit of stamina.

I never get tired of the views around here and often stop at the same spots to take photographs. Every day it looks a bit different influenced by the time of year, weather and time of day.... This is a photograph of my favourite bit of the run yesterday, it really does feel as though you are running on top of the world...

Where is the year going ?

I guess the title says it all really ! This year is flying past and finding time for everything seems a bit tricky at times :)

We now have puppy number two; another Cockapoo called Honey. It will be another couple of months before she comes out running with me :)

I have been out enjoying this beautiful weather. After training during one of the worst winters we have seen it is wonderful to be out running in shorts and vest top and planning runs for when it won't be too hot...

I have also shed a few more pounds over the summer and I'm now at a weight that I'm comfortable with. In the last three and a bit years of running I have gone from size 14 clothes being too tight to size 8 fitting very well... I have also lost about 25% of my body weight.

What is different this time compared to all the other times that I have lost weight is that it has taken me a long time to achieve this. There have been no fad diets, just a change in my eating habits and regular running. I'm drinking far less than I ever have and eating far more fruit and veg than ever. So yes, this time I am quietly confident that the weight loss will be permanent.

With the training I am doing with UK Athletics for my full coaching qualifications I am learning far more about diet, metabolism and the human body than ever and I am finding this fascinating. As part of my training I will be coaching individuals to help them achieve their goals, something that I find very rewarding :)

On a personal note I still have a few races left to run this year. I have been managing to beat my personal best course times on almost every race I have run this year; the exceptions being when I have run with someone else to support them....

I know Christmas will be here before I know it, then it will be back to marathon training for the spring.

In the meantime I'm getting out running and enjoying views like this :)