My HM plan had me down for an hour easy - Zone 2 - run today - I’m working to a Heartrate plan again as it definitely makes more sense when some of my runs are done with a dog (or 2) ‘helping’.
Yesterday I did a very off plan ‘thing’ and started the day, by running as hard as I could for 19 minutes, so I was absolutely on board with a very gentle run as a recovery run. It also meant I could harness up Taylor Beagle alongside Merlin and let her dictate the pace instead of me or him doing it.
As a woman of a ‘certain age’ I have night time hot flushes, which this morning meant I woke up at about 3:30am and didn’t get much more in the way of sleep until 5:30, when I gave it up as a bad job, got my gear on, had a cup of tea while the dogs were in the garden, then popped them in the car and headed to the river.
I could have run them straight from the front door BUT Merlin and I are taking part in a virtual Canicross group event this week, and are down to run 7 miles, so I wanted to check that the extra loop I had planned to add would take me to the 11k mark. Which it does 👍 with enough for a nice cool down walk after.
It took us an hour to cover the 7k down to the foot bridge, with a couple of comfort breaks, a few walk breaks, and a stop in the shade on the way. And with the exception of a pair of dog walkers, and a couple out on their bikes, we were the only people about. The sun was shining, but it wasn’t too hot, or humid - the joy of getting out early! Although there were a lot of sheep making a lot of noise, which the dogs found very distracting, but near their field I was pleased to see that one of the more derelict stiles has been replaced by a kissing gate. Which is so much easier, and safer, to manage with the dogs. 😊
By the time we got to the footbridge there were definitely more people about, but not too many, and the water was much lower, so I set my watch to do a set of four x (5m, 1m) timed intervals and let the dogs off for a bit so they could cool their paws.
We finished off walking the last stretch to the car, with a pause at the trough for the dogs, so we were all thoroughly cooled down by the time we got there.
Time elapsed, just under 2 hours.
Tracked distance 10.79k - actual distance was more.
All in all a lovely way to start the day. But I think I will need and afternoon nap 😴
Another speed run 
Run the Line 2019
Best Run to Date
