Janathon Day 10.
All this running is giving me time to think (yes, dangerous). On todays’ run it dawned on me that I always run my loops in an anti-clockwise direction. It doesn’t seem to matter if they are annoying little laps of 200 yards or big 6 mile loops, I just always go anti-clockwise! Now I’m going to have to run a bit longer tomorrow to ponder on that and work out why I have a predilection to turning left. Is it ingrained habit or a physical imbalance on my left side? However, having noticed this trend during todays run, I doubled back to loop the serpentine in a clockwise direction to no apparent detriment.
My knees were feeling sore today after running 9 days on the trot so I left my run until lunchtime to give my joints time to ‘warm up. I also went to Hyde Park so I could run much of the time on soft surfaces and have a change of scenery. They were niggling at first but after a couple of miles and I was fully warm I felt no discomfort at all and could have run further. Common sense made me call it a day just after 5K to keep things in tact for tomorrow and the next day…
3.51miles 33.12 mins
Totals for Janathon:
10/31 days run 35.48 miles 3321 calories
fairweatherrunner 
January 10, 2011 at 2:08 pm
I am also an anti-clockwise runner. I used to do laps of my little local park in London sometimes and hated it if anyone was coming in the opposite direction (because the park was so small, that would mean we kept passing each other) as that would mean I’d have to go clockwise instead.
January 10, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Hmmm… now you’ve got me thinking about my runs and I too am a left-turner. My local runs from home all take an anticlockwise route. Then yesterday I did a token two laps after Softball training and set off anticlockwise then too.
A survey is in order.
January 10, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I am the opposite, I always run clockwise – but that may stem from the fact that, on one of my runs: to go anti-clockwise would mean going UP the worst hill in the area (by that I mean the North York Moors, so they’re all pretty big)
January 10, 2011 at 4:18 pm
If there was a massive hill to my left I’d definitely be a clockwise runner too.
January 10, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I have never really thought about, but I don’t like turning onto my naff left knee so guess I am a clockwise runner. Here is to tomorrow..and tomorrow..
January 10, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Sounds like your knees might benefit from you taking glucosaimine sulphate (spelling? but sure you know what I mean) As to anti v clockwise my mum and dad’s theory is that it depends if you are a south paw or not!!
January 10, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Yes, good idea, I know what you mean, I used to take it. Thanks for the reminder Ill get some tomorrow. South paw? is that whether you’re a southerner?
January 10, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Speaking as a southpaw, I lean towards anticlockwise loops myself, but occasionally remember to mix it up a little.
January 10, 2011 at 10:09 pm
All athletics tracks are anti clockwise. There was once a Guardian Notes&Queries about this. I like the first answer
January 10, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Ah, tht exlains it – i’m follwing the natural advantage to maximise my performance!! Great article thanks for that.