Flat out

Back from the week away and straight back onto the blog to update things. Not as much to update as I'd hoped, but more on that in a moment.

First day away I went off for an eight miler, along the canal towpath in Devizes. I hadn't realised how much I'm now used to road-running - running on the slightly uneven grass surfaces was more difficult than I'd imagined - lots of instability and aches in the calves, ankles and knees. But what was even more interesting was how much faster it was compared to running at home in Bedfordshire.

Don't let anyone tell you that Bedfordshire is flat. It ain't. "Undulating" is an understatement. Particularly running out of Clophill - where any route starts with a hill. And apparently there are more hills going up than coming down. No, honestly, I'd swear to that.

Running along the canal towpath, however, there weren't any. Well, when was the last time you saw a sloping canal (although I suppose it would make it easier to waterski without a boat)? The upshot was a full minute and a half faster per mile.

The downside was something that's been building for a couple of weeks - an achilles tendon problem. Or at least that's what I assume it is - it's a pain in my lower left calf. And a feeling of "twanging" or "fluttering" when I walk about. And unlike my previous marathon training in 98, I'm listening to aches and pains far more - so no more runs for a week.

I did brave the gym at the hotel on the Sunday, with the intention of pedalling out some miles on the cycle while watching the cricket, but even that set the tendon off. So instead tried my old nemesis, the rowing machine. With surprising success - better pace and better condition than I'd dare hope.

For the rest of the week, we were back in Devizes and I watched longingly at other runners padding up and down the towpath. Amazing - it's only been a few weeks that I've been doing this and I already get withdrawal symptoms. Dangerous...