Another day stuck in a stuffy office (we’ve been allowed to open the windows beyond the safety catch as long as we all promise not to make a break for freedom) so I was keen for a bit of fresh air at the end of the day.

Ginge was booked in for a haircut, so I cadged a lift into town and went for a walk in the park while he got himself shorn.

To be honest I felt a little bit daft marching around the place, a strange mix of aimless and purposeful, and more self-conscious than I ever do when I’m out running.

I think the signs were left over from trail race that had been held the previous night, even if they weren’t, there was no chance of anyone mistaking me for a runner tonight.

I hoped that this wasn’t missing from one of the runners.

This weekend the town is holding its first carnival in donkey’s years and the setting up has started in the park.

Walking past the tents brought back a jumble of memories of childhood trips to shows and craft fairs, as well as a few of lurking round another local festival as a teenager…

Past the helter-skelter to the lake where the cygnets have hatched (apparently four from ten eggs so the local swan hobbyists inform me).

There’s a bit of concern that the carnival (and related cavorting) might disturb the young family so I hope that they’re all safe and sound next week.

I know it was yesterday’s exercise, but I feel last night’s yoga warrants a mention for two things. One, it is very rare that we are introduced to a posture with our teacher encouraging us to “imagine you’re going for a number two…” (it was a frog squat if you’re interested). Then later on she showed us some complicated bendy looking stuff and told us about a chap who she studies with in India who can do aforementioned complicated bendy looking stuff at the age of 105. She went on so remind us that just because someone is that age can do it, it doesn’t mean we are able to – simply because he has been committed to daily practice from the last 80-odd years, whereas we haven’t. As someone who is guilty of comparing myself (often badly) to other people, this struck a chord somewhat.

Anyway. That was day 4. This is day 5. Technically I still haven’t done any exercise, it’s nearly 9.00pm and I am sitting on the sofa debating whether to go for a walk or go to the gym. At the moment, this comes down to whether or not I can be bothered to take my clothes off*.

This morning I woke up tired and a bit out of sorts, luckily I was able to go back to bed for a bit, but unfortunately I woke up just as tired and loads more irritable. I’ve not been able to shake the feeling all day and I feel all out of sorts. At one point in the afternoon we were making plans for the evening and Ginge pointed out that something would mess up my Juneathon. “Bother Juneathon” I replied. Except I didn’t use the word ‘bother’. It was a much shorter word…

I have downloaded some podcasts and need to decide whether I will feel better for a trip to the gym or a moderately intense stroll around the village. I have tossed a coin and am off to the gym.

Well that put me in a much better frame of mind. Just a nice 35 minutes of cardio – enough to put a bit of colour in my cheeks and get a bit of a sweat on. It’s quite nice going to the gym at this time, it’s a 24 hour place so everything’s secure and pretty quiet. While I was there, I was on my own for parts but was joined by a couple of blokes who descended from the grunting weights room upstairs to do some wild grunting things with kettle bells, and later by another woman.

Hmmm, this looks like daylight. I promise it was night time.

Not sure what tomorrow holds exercise-wise, Friday is going to be an early one (so either gym or run) so day six will be walk, run or swim. Hmmmm.

*And put on replacement clothes. Obviously.

Tuesday night is yoga night, so technically I had my exercise booked in for the day. However there’s a little part of me that is missing the quiet stillness of 6am runs, I wanted to prove to myself that I’m still capable of dragging my lazy arse out of bed at that time and I know I’m stuck in the office all day again. Oh, and it also means that I have the satisfaction of not having to worry about Juneathon for the rest of the day.

My plan was to do a 30 minute loop down to the lodge and back. At the moment I’m trying to focus more on running for 30 minutes rather than aim at specific mileage, so the shortcuts that I normally use when I feel like skiving are coming into play a bit.

My early start was rewarded by the sight of the mist rising off the water…

…and some very adorable fluffy ducklings.

Unfortunately I was distracted and forgot to take my short cut so it turned into 3 miles after all.