It’s been a great start to the weekend here at chez Black. Adam’s school, Lurgan College, progressed to the 3rd round of the Schools Cup with a hard earned 13-8 win over Foyle College. It’s a big achievement for a relatively small grammar school especially as Foyle were fielding an Ulster Schools U19 player. The next round is in two weeks time against Cambridge House Grammar School.
I settled my shredded nerves afterwards by going for a run. I think I’ve finally turned the corner regarding sickness which I’ve been battling since before Christmas. Yesterday was the best I’ve felt in quite some time, and I’ve gradually been upping my distances and mileage since returning to running last week after a three week break. The long term target is the Belfast Marathon on 05 May.
Today I managed my first 10K of the year in an unspectacular, but steady time. I felt well throughout and finished strongly over a hilly final mile. 26.2 miles still seems an awfully long way off but I’m thankfully headed in the right direction. I hope the sickness has run its course as I seek to up my long run by a mile a week over the next few months. It will be my 10th marathon in my home city so I really want to make the start line.
I have no plans to stray far from the sofa for the remainder of the day, before going on call in the morning until Friday. I’m trying to rest whenever I can although my blood results came back as all clear earlier in the week. I’ve been eating healthier so maybe that is assisting my recovery. Whatever the upturn in my fortunes I’m not complaining. Here’s to more rugby and running success in ten months ahead.
How win-win is your weekend?
Black Thoughts 
Watching snow fall and football with my husband. Win-Win.
LikeLike
I hope your team wins 👍🏻
LikeLike
Hope you continue to heal and reach your running goals! Enjoy the down time. I’m using a snow day to keep me home and working on manuscripts and blogs today. But with a beautiful, snow covered field and woods outside my office window. I think I’ll call it a win for me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Your view sounds like a Christmas card scene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely enjoy the scene outside my writing room. It’s peaceful no matter what season, but I not so secretly like fall best!
LikeLike
Good work on the 10k!
LikeLike
Thank you 🏃🏻♂️
LikeLike
Other than writing a short post on my blog, I have stayed away from my usual social media connections (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). I deactivated my Facebook account for a week to get a break from the noise. I have a couple of art films to watch for entertainment. My running distance is shorter (cold weather) but covers my distance in chunks. I am entertaining the idea of dropping from my usual half-marathon races back to 10K which was my speciality at university. As a very high-energy person, I find it difficult to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time (read while pacing) but find my shorter runs and un-plugging quite relaxing for the start of the new year. All in all, taking time for your recovery is just the vacation that you probably needed even if it seems buggy at first.
LikeLike
Thank you. The 10K idea seems a sound idea. HM training and beyond can be a real slog.
LikeLike
Yay you!! My win win is I am gong out with a friend.
LikeLike
Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the win and on feeling better. However, your very worst running day will forever be better than my very best. Here in Kansas City, USA we are hoping for a winning day. Our football team is playing a crucial game in the runup to the Super Bowl. We have a history of doing well in the regular season and then utterly collapsing in the post-season, so fingers and toes are all crossed.
LikeLike
I’m a Redskins fan. I know nothing of January football 😂 good luck to the Chiefs.
LikeLike
That’s all good news.
LikeLike
Thank you Pastor 🙂
LikeLike
Great content
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Welcome
LikeLike
Congrats to Adam! And so glad you are feeling better. A very snowy but productive Saturday for the Jacksons: played in fresh snowfall, did many chores and a lot of cooking. A good day!
LikeLike
Sounds like a typical Jackson weekend. Always busy 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear your blood tests came back clear. You all have been in my prayers. I’m happy to hear you’re out and about and feeling healthier. Have a blessed week and enjoy the sofa!
LikeLike
Thank you very much. Feeling better and thank you so much for the prayers.
LikeLike
It’s been a very busy week for me. I am glad to arrive at the weekend only a bit tired. That, I guess is the win-win here.
LikeLike
Well done. You survived another week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you continue to heal up from your illness. Sounds like you’re getting back into the swing of things. I went on a lovely hike over the weekend and got outside a lot, which I definitely needed. I need to be outside for at least 30 minutes every day, rain or shine – my outlook on life is so much better when I do and I’m pretty sure I’m much easier to live with!
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes, I’m getting there. I agree. Getting out into the fresh air is very important.
LikeLiked by 1 person