This Week’s Long Run

Woke up at 5AM to go out for a 10k run, leaving at 5:30, while it was still cool and dark.

The sun starting to rise, 3k into the run, lighting up the water in pink and gold. My legs were tired from yesterday’s 5k, but the view made this run worth while.

That is just breathtaking.

The park was very peaceful in the morning, and a friendly walker admired the sunrise with me, cheering me on.

Sunrise peering over the trees — my phone camera is doing it no justice.

I love that the little heron is waiting for the fishermen to fail.

Little herons fishing for themselves for a change.

That’s 10K done, most of it before sunrise. I ran 25k this week, the most ever — super proud of myself, and totally worth the early Saturday wake up.

This Week’s Long Run

Started out extra early (before 6AM), since it was going to be a super hot day.

The sun had just come up, the promenade was practically deserted (early morning on a Saturday will do that for you), and the air was relatively cool, though still humid.

I wasn’t the only one enjoying the early morning breeze — these little guys were taking cover from the sun by the time I ran back.

The sun made everything seem gloriously golden… A breathtaking sight.

You can just make out the Night Heron looking out at the ducks. He was still there when I ran back.

Ducks having fun in the sun, around the 3K mark.

Making my way back, around the 7K mark. The park had come to life, and the sun was starting to blaze away.

Night Heron still there, standing like a watchman, keeping an eye on the river.

Last view of the river and the birds, before the final stretch home.

10K run, and well worth setting the alarm for.

Ships at sea

View from last night's fast 4K run.

2000 km

Yesterday I crossed the 2000 km milestone since I started running (~360km done so far this year). Running was literally a pain in high school, a horror in the army and something I never, never would have thought that I’d enjoy. Almost 6 years ago, on a cold November evening I laced up a proper pair of running shoes that actually fit my needs (I have flat feet), and went on my first run/walk. I haven’t looked back since.

Get running.

This week’s long run

Started out early in the morning, but not early enough — the heat was already pretty intense in the parts of the trail that weren’t in the shade.

The sea was pretty stormy, and surfers and kayaks were out in force. It looks much windier than it was, though.

Families of ducks were also out, grazing in the heat. I met them later on, swimming together.

Little egret fishing on the Yarkon riverbed.

Boats on the river, lazing in the sun.

Three fishermen — man, little egret, night heron.

Little egrets fighting over fish in low tide.

10k done — hot and humid summer run. As usual, I didn’t feel like waking up early and going for a run, let alone a 10k, but I’m glad that I did.

Sunset to the Distance

This week

Writing: Working on the outline of my next novel, and planning the second draft of my first one. Tough work, but there is progress, and progress is what I’m looking for.

Reading: Finished the delightful second Vinyl Detective instalment, “The Vinyl Detective — The Run-Out Groove“, by Andrew Cartmel. Enjoyed it very much, and can recommend it if you’re looking for an intelligent pick-me-up. On the verge of finishing “The Night Watch,” by Sergei Lukyanenko. A very Russian, darker but not dark-for-dark’s sake urban fantasy that is well written and sophisticated. Nothing like the childish dark urban fantasy novels that I’ve read lately.

Running: Got back on track this week. Getting myself used to progressively longer runs, and finding out that they aren’t so bad after all.

Drawing: except for a few quick doodles, nothing this week. I’ll try to get a quick watercolour in this weekend.

Also, if you are even a slight fan of Jane Austen, or like improv comedy, you will love this 30min comedy special by BBC Radio4: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08tvyw0

Latest flea market finds: two tins, one a WWII US Army First Aid Packet copper tin, and the other a British made Dunlop “Midget Repair Outfit” bicycle repair tin.

This week’s long run

Yesterday’s weather was pretty perfect for a long run, so decided to go on one instead of postponing it to the weekend.

Preparations for the second season of the dreadful local version of one of my favourite shows, the Great British Bakeoff, are well under way.

This is where they’re doing the filming this year, and I’m pretty puzzled about it — I don’t see how this former hanger will have room for all the contestants. Oh well, where there’s rating there’s a way.

Met this crow on the way, and he looked pretty pleased with his perch.

Glorious sunset in the park. One of the reasons I love running in the evening so much.

Reading power station gleaming in the distance.

Sometimes Tel Aviv can be almost breathtaking.

10k done with a magnificent sunset over the Mediterranean.

This week’s long run

This week’s long run wasn’t very long at all (see here for the reasons). It ended up being just a 5k (my third 5k this week), because I set out pretty late yesterday, and I don’t feel very comfortable running alone in the dark.

On the positive side of things, I did change up my route, which made for some pretty nifty photos of the Tel Aviv skyline.

Started out as the sun was just setting in a glorious pink, purple and orange.