Four Seasons In One Hour

Posted byFractured Faith BlogPosted inA Fractured FaithTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Northern Ireland never fails to disappoint when it comes to the weather. The forecast is not good for the coming week so I was determined to get out for a run at some point today. I’m slowly building up my mileage after illness and my target for this week was 25 miles; which necessitated 5 miles today to reach that total. I decided at lunchtime to head out as conditions were chilly, windy but dry.

There was even a glimpse of blue sky. All that changed as ominous, dark clouds began to gather overhead. Blustery conditions turned into a full on gale and I soon was treading water into a strong headwind. Rain followed, and then snow as I battled on out of the village and into the bleak countryside. Thankfully the route I had chosen was circuitous so the wind was in my back on the return journey.

I was nearly lifted off my feet and carried Mary Poppins style back to the house. Mo Farah would have struggled to keep up with me as I barrelled back towards the house. I was frozen and bedraggled when it was all over, but Week 4 of my training for the Belfast Marathon was in the can. It’s been purposely slow, but steady, progress this year and I’m erring on the side of caution so that I reach the start line in decent shape.

Four seasons in one hour, never mind one day. But these are the hard, cold, wet miles that form the backbone of any marathoners training plan. Come the big day itself, when it’s warm and sunny, it will be runs like today’s which will keep me going when the going gets tough. Next week my long run will be 9 miles. Stay tuned for further progress updates and I head towards Marathon number 10.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

33 thoughts on “Four Seasons In One Hour”

  1. Glad to hear you’re back in the training groove. You’re wise to choose a safe and steady path to the start. Best to you on your journey. I love it that the same wind you fought on the way out provided for a speedy, less-taxing return home.

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  5. I really admire your courage and stamina – weather like that I’d have turned around pronto! We lived in Newfoundland for many years – it has similar weather – one minute bright and sunny and then wham! And it can be nice in one spot but a few kilometers up the road it can be downright miserable. We often experienced four seasons in a very short time period. Kudos to you for your commitment to keep on running!

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  7. The strength of the winds today are what tests us runners… if you can voluntarily go out in weather like this then race day will be easy! (Well apart from the whole ‘it’s a marathon’ thing!) x

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  11. Good to read that you’re back in training, albeit in this weather. It’s bitterly cold here today so I’m guessing that it’s even worse with you. I wore two pairs of trousers out cycling this morning which was a bit of a squeeze. Felt good though to be out. Keep going.

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