Flying high

Another week in this crazy world.  It's devastating how so few can cause so much carnage but we will not allow this to change our way of life.  London we support you and life will go on.
Back to normality.  The everyday.  What, in the absence of a crisis, we do every day - like prepare for 170 miles running in the Grand Canyon in 111 days time!
It's been a great weeks training and the focus has moved to running with no cycling.  Two swimming sessions a week allow me to build my core and upper body while giving my legs a rest. I had two days off this week which is a first but this was to prepare me for two back to back runs at the weekend.  This approach worked for MdS so I headed to Chatelherault on Saturday for a solo long run - just 2hrs and 5 mins at this stage.  The first extended lap went well but it's an uphill finish followed by an uphill start.  Usually this has my heart rate near it's max so I try and to take it easy on that section to keep it under control.  As I was approach the brow of the hill a strange aroma starting to stimulate my nostrils.  The couple walking their dog in front were smoking a "strange substance" (say no more).  I couldn't believe it - I floated up the rest of the hill!
I'd no pals to run with so it was also a "mental" exercise as it was the longest run at Chatelherault I'd done so far.  In due course I'll be running double that distance and with a weighted rucksack but this is only the start.  My post run instructions were to rest, hydrate and eat so I happily obliged.  This was necessary for my run today - got to look after my body.
During the week I visited my physio who is delighted with the progress my shoulder (98% recovered) and my foot - the strapping on my leg has changed the way the muscles are working.  I also had another sports massage which eased off my legs which were starting to show signs of the hard week's training.
Today's return went well and I even managed to miss the rain.  Next week the programme builds including some core workouts.  I'm feeling great at moment and I know that this will fluctuate as the training builds up and gets harder.  But I'll enjoy it while it lasts but not with the aid of any "strange substances"!