This mornings forecast was going to be a cooler 12 degrees and the air quality excellent! Oh yes, now we’re talking! I didn’t have to run quite so early. I even had some time for chitter chatter with my brother, but fortunately no political or Covid opinions as he was half asleep 😬 (I never learn, always get sucked in 😂)
I took my cuppa outside to listen to the Kites and I could immediately tell that the air quality was going to make a much better run for me this morning.
Preparations done and off I go on my warm up walk towards the village. I was planning a straight 3K run, hoping for a little faster than of late. Off I go! I rein it in a little as I do like to run negative splits as it makes the run so much easier - but I don’t want to run too slowly. My first km is under 8 minutes; I was a little surprised!
Where is everyone? I wasn’t particularly early, but there is no-one about and no traffic. I immediately take advantage of the lack of traffic by running on the road!
All is going well - until towards the end of the second km I start to get a stitch. How annoying, I haven’t eaten anything. It’s uncomfortable and I stop and do a few stretches, which doesn’t seem to help. I try and run through it, but have to stop again. I think about abandoning the run, then it starts to ease and I start to increase pace ready for the last km.
I start the last km and run through the village high street. It’s too early for the shops to be open, apart from the little grocery shop that sells fresh coffee. Mmmm I can smell coffee as I run past. Maybe I’ll walk back later and treat myself! A large white chocolate ‘cookie’ would be nice with it. I haven’t got anything planned for today……..
I drag my thoughts back to the run and I’ve already run up the last slope while I was thinking about coffee. I revel in the flatness for a few seconds and take off the brakes as I run down the road, past my Dad’s and past the lady who lives opposite. She’s standing in her drive and raises a hand indicating that she wants to speak to me. I’m running quite fast now, downhill with about 300 metres to go - no way am I stopping 😬. I say ‘back in 2 minutes’ and run on, down the side road. Soon the run is over and I stop the watch and walk back up the slope for a chinwag 😊
Back home, I look at the stats. Well, it’s a reasonable run, but better than that, I felt my former fitness isn’t too far away. If I keep on doing what I’m doing now, I’ll get there! 😊
Splits:
7:49, 7:17, 6:37
