Well I am slowly chugging my way through the magic plan for the second time, this time trying to run distance rather than time. This morning was down for 7k which felt like a very long way when I sat in bed with a cup of tea this morning trying to persuade myself that I could put off my run. In the end I did what I know I must do: stop wondering whether I "feel like it" (some of my best runs have been when I really didn't), get up, put on my running clothes and get out the door. "Don't go too fast" says Ian as I leave. Not much chance of that.
I start slowly, aware that I haven't run this far for about a month when I ran for sixty minutes and did 6.9k and felt like I might die. It is a coolish morning, sun filtering through the trees as I run by the river, deliberately slowly, watching the water move, listening to the birds, feeling the sunlight and the shadow on my face. I start to count, long my favourite way of passing time when I run. I know that counting to 300 gets me just a bit further than half a kilometre and it stops me looking at my strava all the time.
I know the points on this river run where I slow down now: through the wooden gate into the woods is the first one, and then on, gently climbing to the place where the footbridge crosses the river. I remember when I started running here that I only knew about the bridge from Ian. I never got that far and it was my ambition to reach it. Now I know that at the bridge I will have done 2.5k because that it my normal turning point when running 5k. Normal, 5k?? Isn't that extraordinary? Today I carry on, making for the end of the track which Ian tells me will be 3.5k and my place to turn today. The track rises more steeply. I slow but keep on running gently, gently. I can do this. I meet a runner with a dog coming the other way and we smile at each other. I have never been this far before and just as I am wondering how much further to the halfway point I see the end of the track in dappled sunlight as it meets the road. I always loved the half way bell when I was doing c25k so I ring it in my head - Ding! and turn.
The second half has the double benefit of a warmed up body and a slight downhill incline. I feel good. I count and look and listen to the river and the birds, watch the sunlight and shadow moving on the track in front of me. I check my distance; 5k now and I am feeling fine. I increase my speed a little on what I know will be the last easy section before the path gets muddy and turns uphill. As the track begins to rise I remember how huge and steep and slow this section seemed to me the first time I tried to run it. Now I know it won't take long before the path levels out and then runs downhill. 6k. Yes there is no doubt in me that I can do this. When I ran for sixty minutes I struggled and seriously wondered if I would manage it. Only sheer bloody mindedness kept me going . But today I know I can keep running. My legs are getting tired but they are still going. My breathing is not labouring. I can do it. I know I can do it. I think I might be running and smiling.
I see the bridge where I will stop coming up and the water rushing gold and clear under it. 7k. I have done it. What a way to start the day.
Bonjour from over here !
