Beau Miles. What a beauty. I am a long-time watcher of Mr Miles and a thorough enjoyer of his content. His easy nature and seemingly endless ideas for fun ways to enjoy the outdoors are of great inspiration to me. One video always stuck with me. The Mile an Hour. The premise? Run one mile every hour, on the hour, and then fill the downtime with various tasks you’ve been meaning to get around to. The distance isn’t unmanageable, but being awake for a full day is sure to bring some fun.
Five years have passed since the video released and I hadn’t got around to copying it, leaving a trail of excuses as to why I couldn’t at the time. Well, no more. During the Friendmas meal at around 3pm on Sunday the 17th of December, I decided that today was the day. It didn’t matter that there was an hour drive home, or I had already been awake for that day, excuses were no longer a part of my vocabulary. I was getting this one ticked off.
19:00 – Mile One
My first of 24 loops of Hillsborough Park’s main field. There weren’t as many people about as I thought there would be. A couple of guys were walking their dogs. In all my excitement I actually went the wrong way. The route I had planned would cut through the car park instead of the main path, which adds the all needed extra distance to make it a perfect mile loop from the house. I forgot this was what I had decided and took the path. Well, this is my route now.
Task number one was a festive one, wrap the presents I’ve bought so far. I’m not the best at wrapping but I have definitely improved over the years.
20:00 – Mile Two
There were a couple more runners during this loop, with one very speedy gentleman absolutely smashing out his intervals. There was also a very big dog. Like, ride into battle big. This was my slowest loop.
I got in and inhaled a bag of Wotsits and then tidied up the kitchen and did the dishes (many more dishes were created in the subsequent hours).
21:00 – Mile Three
The road was lit by the glow of Christmas trees. These slowly faded as the night went on, but a single tree (and somebody else’s living room light) remained on for the entire night. A young kid was practicing his football skills and passing to himself by bouncing the ball off the kerb. Another menacingly large dog was held by its owner off the path. When entering or leaving the park I had to navigate the mess that is the Leppings Lane junctions. Thankfully, I could see a tram in the distance and the traffic light for it was green. This meant I was able to cross without issue.
The next item was a quick tidy of the living room, putting books back and generally rearranging the mess. I had two slices of buttered toast, the first of many.
22:00 – Mile Four
This loop was the first of the lonely ones. There wasn’t anybody on the park loop (thought I could see headtorches further along). The lamps were still on so this didn’t feel too spooky. That is until an owl decided to hoot away and an ambulance blasted past, sirens blaring.
A leftover twirl from the Friendmas meal was hastily scoffed down. This provided the much-needed fuel to tackle the task of cleaning the bathroom.
23:00 – Mile Five
As the darkness fully set in, I had my first apparition. On the far path I though I spotted a runner, gently bobbing as they made their way up through the park. Alas, as I got closer, I realised my foolishness. The runner was nothing more than a house light reflected in the pond, its gentle bobbing my own. A police siren echoed through the trees.
I hadn’t eaten a proper meal since around 3pm so made a big bowl of rice with a hoisin style sauce and onions. This left just enough time to clean and organise the baking cupboard. Hopefully Fiona approves of the new layout.
00:00 – Mile Six
A dog walker had to physically restrain his dog between his legs as he saw me approach. That told me all I needed to know why he was walking it so late. The improvised meal I had bounced in my stomach, leading a little nausea but nothing I couldn’t handle.
I did a couple climbing orientated exercises to help keep injuries at bay, as well as a bit of foam rolling, because why not. Homemade brownie helped fuel me.
01:00 – Mile Seven
A car sat in the middle of the road. I assume a taxi, but I couldn’t see any plates. All the lights in the park were now off, marking the start of the spooky section. Birds chilling in the trees were startled by my approach, and in return they startled me as they erupted into the sky. Fairs fair.
Those people I hadn’t bought Christmas presents needn’t fear as this hour was reserved for searching for and/or ordering said gifts. I scoffed some marmite on toast.
02:00 – Mile Eight
I was surprised at the number of cars still out. I knew there would be some but not that many. I hoped it would make me feel safe and secure as I looped the park, but I was on edge, constantly checking my shoulder for anyone following me. What did break this fear was the look the driver of a flatbed gave me as he saw me running. I took some joy from his confusion.
This hour I tried to hone my sewing and embroidery skills. I love repairing clothing that has torn or needs a new zip. I’ve done my hydration vest, running gloves, jumpers, trousers, and I’ve got a pair of shoe uppers that need a hole closing. The problem is, I’m still not very good. The repairs hold (mostly) but don’t look that pretty, so I squeezed in some quick reading and practise on the subject.
03:00 – Mile Nine
The rain began to fall. Thankfully it wasn’t too heavy and was short lived. A light was still on in a living room on the road, and I couldn’t see anybody sat in there. There were still a fair number of cars about. I was wondering what they might be doing at such an hour, but I was in no position to judge.
I scoffed a slice of toast and sorted out the spare room for the arrival of guests.
04:00 – Mile Ten
4am dog walking must hit different as there was a guy just vibing. He did seem a bit surprised to see me.
I did the classic pickle power snack but miniaturised, taking cornichons straight from the jar and into my gob. I like drawing but don’t often do it so spent this hour just doodling things about the run.
05:00 – Mile Eleven
Hallelujah, the loneliness was over as non-threatening looking people had started returning to the park. The worst of the challenge was over. I knew if I could motivate myself to keep running the loop at its scariest in the dark, as soon as day came, I knew I’d be golden to finish it. This mental relief manifested in my legs, and I felt super strong on this lap.
I took this newfound energy and decided to… read. I like reading, but again I haven’t been giving it the time it deserves recently. I had recently started Markus Torgeby’s The Runner. I haven’t finished it yet but I can highly recommend. I also had some garlic toast.
06:00 – Mile Twelve
We at the halfway point baby, and the birds are singing! This really improved my mood, my own little chorus. It was at this point I decided to try keep the loops more chill and save myself for one last mega blast for the last one.
The basement has needed a bit of tidy for a while. I’ve not been putting things back where they belong, so I gave it a quick rearrange. This didn’t take as long as expected, which was a relief as it is a bit grim down there. I used the remaining time to have a look on Instagram and saw a Myprotein ad for any 1kg bag of whey protein for £10 for new customers. Oh no, I’ve already ordered from them. I then made three new email accounts and cashed in. It also came out to £9.50 a bag, bargain!
07:00 – Mile Thirteen
Rush hour begins. The cars start coming and they don’t stop coming, fed to the rules and I hit the ground running, didn’t make sense not to live for fun, your brain gets smart but your legs go run. I apologise for that. On the way back I almost collided with a milkman emerging from behind a tall van onto the path. Thankfully I mooooooved out of the way.
At home I worked on my PhD applications over a big bowl of bran flakes and maple syrup with a banana protein shake poured over. I also treated myself to a shower to mark that less than half remained and definitely not because I smelled.
08:00 – Mile Fourteen
Gah! This one was annoying. I had to wait a long time at lights and crossings because, as it said, they don’t stop coming. What made it bearable was the numerous nods of acknowledgment I exchanged with other runners. What a brotherhood.
Didier the C1 needed a hoover and has done for a while, so I loaded up the Shark and headed outside. I didn’t get everything, but what can you do when you’ve only got the suction power of a handheld?
09:00 – Mile Fifteen
Fi set off with me on her way into Uni whilst I charged on to lots more waiting at the crossings. I saw her again coming out of the park at the tram stop. More accurately, I was shouted at to get my attention as I was so oblivious. My brain felt a bit frazzled. This marked 24 hours awake.
Knowing she was up and out, this let me make the bed and tidy the bedroom. I found a mars bar on my bedside table (don’t judge me) so I ate it.
10:00 – Mile Sixteen
This one did annoy me a bit. I’ve seen a couple posts on Strava and Instagram recently with people’s run ins with poorly trained dogs when they’ve been out. This mile saw a lot of them. Constantly pulling, off lead and jumping on other leashed dogs, not returning to calls. I am glad none tried to go for my ankles as has happened multiple times before when on a run. There were some well-behaved ones, walking in step with their owners off lead not breaking file, even when other dogs were passing by, but its concerning to see the number of dogs that aren’t actually under control.
I spent the remainder of the hour with good old Henry, getting those carpets and wood floor nice and clean.
11:00 – Mile Seventeen
Hillsborough Park is home to Sheffield Cycling 4 All, a project run by Disability Sheffield. This project provides trikes and four-wheeled bikes for those who can’t ride a traditional bike. On my loop I passed numerous people having a great time, pedalling hard up the short hill and being rewarded with the long descent back to the start.
Henry’s hard work set the stage for me to get some mopping done.
12:00 – Mile Eighteen
The park got to its busiest yet. Having to dodge so many people made me think I was running slowly but it turned out to be pretty quick!
After an appropriate workman’s meal of eggs on toast I whipped out the tools and put a mirror up. We have had this mirror a long time, and the markings on the wall for where the plugs needed to be drilled in have been there for maybe a day less.
13:00 – Mile Nineteen
Another run of standing about waiting to cross the road because everyone and their grandad was out. I did notice the apparent aggression with which some people drive. A car went to turn left and the man behind, instead of slowing and waiting the second or so for the car in front to complete its manoeuvre, decided to just swerve onto the oncoming lane and swerve back to then have to stop anyway for the obvious red light.
I walked down to the shop to get some things for tea. When I went to start scanning, I noticed the old man before me had forgotten his cigarettes. I ran after him and handed them back, a lawful evil act?
14:00 – Mile Twenty
In stark contrast to mile sixteen, the dogs on this mile tugged on my heart. The number of puppies was ridiculous. Their little faces excited at the big new world around them. Nothing mundane. I did feel a little tired on this loop, but it was short lived.
I had some Tangfastics and organised the tool cupboard in the hall. Much like the basement, I had got into the habit of using something and then not putting it back correctly.
15:00 – Mile Twenty-One
In the brief notes I kept for each run I have simply written, ‘This run has become lost to me’. Ooooooh, isn’t that a dramatic way to say I didn’t pay attention and can’t remember what that run was like. Chances are it was pretty much the same as all the ones before and after. Why not write your own account of it in the space below!
I used to write a diary religiously every day, and then one day just stopped. On my birthday this year I decided to start again and so ordered a little black bullet journal because I was feeling extra. I spent this hour just writing.
16:00 – Mile Twenty-Two
The tiredness just before this one really hit me. I had a period of 10 minutes or so of just wanting to sleep, probably brought on by just sitting and writing. The run itself felt slow again but I managed a good pace. The final sprint is tantalisingly close!
Another house chore, getting the clothes washing done.
17:00 – Mile Twenty-Three
I listened to Lorna Shore’s Immortal and To the Hellfire to get me pumped during the penultimate mile, using the minute or so build up as an intro from the flat to outside. A couple of runners said Hey to me as I passed, and again at the other side of the loop.
I then started this very write up. Is this write-up-ception?! Who knows, I’ve bashed the rest of this out the following evening and it is currently 01:24 on Wednesday morning. Gotta love the Christmas holiday sleep schedule.
18:00 – Mile Twenty-Four
Here we are, the moment all five of you have been waiting for. A day in the making. Time to turn on the afterburners and go all out. I sprinted down the road, slowing to pass walkers, and stopping to cross the road. A running club were assembling in the park. My little legs carried me hurriedly to the lowest part of the course, halfway, before setting on fire on the miniscule climb. I breathed hard. I wanted this one to be the quickest of them all by a big margin. I stopped my watch at the gate, and like that it was done.
All I had to do now was make dinner.
All in all, I ran 24 miles in 24 hours, got lots of odd jobs done, and didn’t sleep for 36 hours. Apparently, I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow, and the worst snoring imaginable started shortly after. I can highly recommend this as a fun little challenge if you’ve got nothing better to do with your time like me.
If you would like to see the pictures, I may upload them here at some point but they are all on Strava and saved on Instagram.