My goodness I woke in a grump this morning, just before 8, my day off, the day if my long run, well it used to be. It's a grey day, I drank my tea and played with my lap full of gremlins, what's the point they said, retirements coming up, you are losing your purpose, stay in bed they said, everything hurts anyway so why make it worse? Willow woke, listened to my gremlins for a bit then told them firmly to go away, he said I'd feel better after. So I read a bit more of my book!
Without thought I got out of bed, started to get dressed, couldn't find my favourite knickers, grumbled some more, pulled on my thin roll neck thermal vest and topped it with a grey one, running leggings, put a mint in one pocket, browsed NRC and picked 60 minutes running. And there is the crux of the matter, this year I've not run as much, I've run shorter distances and times and even when I ran 5k I was taking walk breaks by 3k, I was disappointed in myself.
Off I went, 3 steps out the door I realised it was raining turned round got a hat, not my hat, I think that may be in a car. One of Willows, grabbed a handful of loo roll, must buy tissues.
Seems I didn't pick 60 minute run at all I picked 4 mile head starts.
Turned right and right again, heading north, can't see the downs today, mist and drizzle.
Very slight uphill, never mind, paths, slippery and wet so go slow is the order of the day.
Tu n right and head east, slightly downhill, on I run, hat is comfier than mine, I might keep it. Say a cheery good morning to a woman pushing a pram, a man with a walking stick and a couple of teenagers.
Decision time, to run to the end of this road and down to the seafront is an over 8k loop, too far, but can I bear the embarrassment of running down the high street? Past shops and people? Yup, I can.
It's a sad place our high street, seeing the shops that never reopened after the pandemic. I pass charity shops, fast food outlets and a small supermarket, the florist is still there with a bright splash of colour on the street outside, spring flowers to brighten the day
I'd forgotten the railway line, I haven't seen the gates open when in my car for years but the god of runners was with me and I ran straight across, better than the steps over the bridge
Fork right and run the length of the road past where my daughter lives, yesterday she had a home study day but today she'll be striding along the corridors of a local hospital ensuring people get the treatment they need.
I can see the sea, a darker grey than the sky, not inviting. Cut through past the fire station, through the industrial estate and across the road to where it all began.
I listened to coach, I listened to music, I paused briefly to snap a photo, I ran on.
I ran home, the whole thing was very slow, I was soaked through, but I ran the whole 6.45 kilometres, which took over an hour. V02MAX docked me a point, expected, fitness age still very old but unchanged.
Willow had tracked my run so there was tea waiting as I walked through the door, he then helped me peel off my soaking wet everything and stretch.
Do what you can and be proud
The picture is of the park where it all began.
oh and the title? I realised while running that all the aches and pains I'd woken with had gone 😃
x
