One of the things I love about running is how it keeps teaching you stuff about yourself: the latest lesson, finally learned a month or so ago, is that I am much happier after runs that take me through new – or at least rarely visited – territory. I have since made a conscious effort to come up with new routes for my runs, and even then to not stick to them as rigidly: mix things up a bit, and go wandering.

And it works: Sunday’s long run for example took me through countryside, a nature reserve, through Leicester city centre, between some derelict industrial buildings, round a park that once used to be abbey, and back along a disused railway, which is now a lovely walk and cycle path.

It was a lovely crisp day as well, and I couldn’t resist the the temptation to stop and take photos of some of the sights along the way… I’ve hardly done them justice with my replacement mobile, I think I need to come back with my proper camera and more time one day!

It was a lovely crisp day as well, and I couldn’t resist the the temptation to stop and take photos of some of the sights along the way… I’ve hardly done them justice with my replacement mobile though, I think I need to come back with my proper camera and more time one day! It would make a nice family cycling adventure!