Back on the road again

The weekly long run today - a clear 7-miler with some big hills thrown in.

I missed the Friday run - something to do with leaving the house at 5am to catch a 6.30am flight to Geneva, landing again at 10.30pm and getting home at 11pm. Didn't feel much like going out for a run at that point.

Today was an odd one, though.  Felt like lead weights in my legs from the start and struggled up Great Lane and the hill above the village. And on through Flitton - little more than slightly lengthy plodding.

And then suddenly, after five miles, as I rounded the corner out of Wardhedges and slowed to a walk while I tucked my gloves into the camelbak, took a slurp of water and a bite of banana, it all shifted.  I can't call it a second wind - there'd never been a first - but from then on it was an easier run.

It was also a much easier run than the one this time last year, which in New York - my first marathon.

And running in bright chilly sunshine on a Sunday morning has another effect: I can see drivers as they pass.  I wave and say thank you to the vast majority who give me a generous birth.  Most wave back and actually smile - which helps for the next stage of the run.

In the dark, I wave and mouth thank you, but they could be offering me sexual favours and I'd never know...

59.5 miles run - 1019.5 miles to go

Posted by Tony Quinlan