After a lovely morning at the coast in Tynemouth to celebrate my birthday (how did 49 happen???) with a fantastic breakfast followed by a long dog walk I waved goodbye to wife and pooch and set off up the coast for a long run.
The aim was to do 20k as a final preparation run for the Sunderland HM next weekend.
As I set off it was overcast and although yesterday's strong gusty wind had dropped there was still a steady northerly breeze in my face.
From Tynemouth I headed north following the route of the N Tyneside 10k a couple of weeks back.
Through Cullercoats where there were loads of surfers in the sea, past Whitley Bay where I dropped right down to run by the choppy sea and on to St Mary's Island.
At this point, about 8k I was trotting along very well and feeling comfortable but a 1k section mostly uphill and over shingle as I headed towards Seaton Sluice took a lot out of me.
I reached halfway in a good time (67 minutes) and turned to head back to Tynemouth but it was the same story I get on many of most of my long runs, the legs became heavier step by step and my pace slowed and slowed.
As I approached where I had left the car each step was an effort but I decided to carry on and do the full HM distance, my final time was 2 hours 35, still much work to do if I want to break 2hrs 25 which is my aim.
Still a lovely run and always a joy to see that coastline. Will have a final slow midweek run and see if I can crack 2.30 next Sunday.
Run happy, run safe guys.
What a month that's been...
I just ran a half-marathon
