Last night I saw a favourable weather forecast and thought, how can I take advantage of the conditions as most of my training is done in the rain these days? So I hatched a plan. Get up at 6am for a wee yoga session to warm me up for the run. Eat my porridge, pack my clothes for the office and put them in my wifes car so she could drop them off (handy working in the same office, sometimes!). At 7.30am take off into the darkness with two head torches. White at the front and red at the back.
It was a still morning with the sky changing from a mid-night blue as the full moon went down. I headed out onto a two lane A road (one lane for each direction) where the cars are doing 50/60 miles an hour and not expecting to see a runner in the dark. For 5km there is no pavement so I knew I was taking a risk - actually the pavements were covered in ice so it was debateable which was most risky!
I was lit up like a Xmas tree with my hiviz and lights but one "white van man" did manage to win the game of "chicken" and sent me diving for the verge. Another one over took a car so he was approaching me from behind - 1st I knew of it his wing mirror had narrowly missed my elbow!
The first half of the 20k run is hilly and mainly uphill so that was tough. I missed not having my running mates as this would have passed the time although would have made the risk on the 5k section unacceptable. The second half is downhill for a few miles before turning flat.
I arrived safely at the office in 1hr 43 mins so was pleased with my time. Showered and suited I spent the rest of the morning trying to cool down while apologising for the smell from my running kit! This run will be easier as the light mornings come in and it's a decent training distance as I try and get my weekly mileage up.
When I get home tonight I will need to stretch out as tomorrow at 6.30am I will be getting put through my paces by my yoga teacher and this definately is the hardest workout of the week.
Thursday, 16 January 2014
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