A better morning allowed me to actually remember my running kit this morning and it’s with some sadness that I declare my life so dull that I actually smiled at my ability to achieve such a thing as I got out of the car.
But it did mean I could assault the hills around Rye for my evening outing and that’s just about what I achieved.
I feel I should apologise for the average pace being low (only to myself, of course), but since it’s not a race and since the reasons will be clear in a moment and since my legs feel fresher than they have all year, I’m not going to.
I headed out and enjoyed a steady plod through the town to the bottom of my first hill; 0.38 miles of lung bursting later I lapped the Garmin and it was a pleasing 2.55 – a second quicker than on Tuesday. Very nice to see and it didn’t feel that quick in the middle.
Turning around and planning a jog around the ring road I got to the bottom of the hill and bumped into Mark, the guy from the site who’s just recommenced running. Seizing an opportunity for some variety I joined him for some company despite his going a different route. Running at his pace (well, I think he sped up a bit, hence the next bit) was very relaxed and an odd route saw us through the very old bit of Rye high street then on a little path over the railway before the hill home. Despite slowing a bit for this he made his excuses (none needed – he’s not been out much) and stopped with a stich half way up. So I did the gallant thing and sprinted off up to the top to gain another hill to my total, before jogging back to meet him before jogging to the top and then down the side into the site where I left him at his house before sprinting up the hill again to effectively do the “pyramid hill” 250 metre section as a final blast before stopping.
So the overall pace was slow but the important bits for training and improvement were fast. And running with some company was astoundingly good for a change. Must attempt to arrange more running partners for the future.
And, curiously, my legs (especially my shin boes, as described before) feel as fresh as a daisy. Maybe more slow pacing will cure them entirely for the weekend. Just got to decide a route tomorrow.
Today saw me pass 50 miles which is encouraging to achieve my 75 mile target for the end of the month…
138 runs, 96 exercises and 48 cycles to go.
Hills, company and daisy-fresh shins. It’s all good. How about a celebratory plank? [runs for cover]
Remembering running kit is an achievement! some of us are sometimes very grateful for remembering some things which are attached if its very early.