Invader of counties, evader of poo, I will defeat my nemesis. Week 8 run 2, the run without battle dog.

[spoonierunning]

When I woke I was hoping my clock was going to tell me it was 5am and I could go back to sleep, alas no natural body clock was right on the dot of 6am. I then thought it's a Saturday I don't technically have to get up. Brain told me it's gonna get hot best go out now.

iPod - check

Lycra wonder outfit - check

Sunglasses - check

Dog - er lead, yes. Dicky bag, yes. Dog, yes. Ferd where is your harness? Have a hunt and I can't see it, doesn't help that I am optically challenged as I left my normal glasses upstairs.

Sorry Ferd you will just have to go out with Daddy later.

Out the door at 6.30, at 6.43 I had invaded Derbyshire and was ready for my run.

I had to check the other day, it's been a bothering me for a while. Sounds nicer to say I go running in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire evoke a pleasant image where as Nottinghamshire .... Er well what has Nottinghamshire got! ....... Answers on a postcard.

Good morning Meat Loaf, yes I am using the same playlist as for w8r1 the reboot, and off I pootle.

I decide to go the route the features my nemesis, ending in a long drawn out incline.

I have yet to see anyone, but I have already had to dodge lots of dog poop, grrr bag it, bin people, there is no poop fairy. You know the outdated training method of rubbing your dogs nose in his poop if he has an accident? Yeah that. I recon dog walkers who don't clear up after their dogs should have it smeared over their face. If you can't pick up the poop, don't have a dog. Grrr grrrr and double grrrr.

Isn't this nice I have the world to myself.

Oh it's a good job I didn't bring battle dog, look at all those swans as I get to the canal.

Onwards I run.

I can't do this. I'm tired I want to stop.

And then megadeath basts into my ears:

"The train of consequences

There ain't no turning back"

Ok come on we can do this, keep going.

What the! Eeep. Ooof made me jump. In my own little world when finally a person, a runner passes me followed by lassie.

What's that lassie, Timmy's in trouble, he's stuck down the well?

Ok so not really lassie, but did you know lassie was played by a boy dog with a wig to er cover his boy parts? Tis true.

Over the bridge we go.

Spaniels yay

I do love to see spaniels. How is that man keeping his two springers out of the water? Seriously how! Come on how come he has clean, dry spaniel. It's not natural I tell you.

Carry on.

And now it is time to face the nemesis.

Ok I can do this, don't look too far ahead, see not so bad.

Er it is.

Stop it you can do it slow down, keep it steady.

I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it.

Listen yound lady stop with the silly attitude, we don't have to do all of it not long now.

Grrrrr I've gotta stop it must be time now.

Don't look keep going.

I said DONT look.

Oh what did you have to do that for.

I made it further up the incline than I have before but at 23 minutes I needed to stop, I didn't stop dead I just had a short walking break before continuing for my final 5 minutes. I don't feel bad about stopping afterall an incline is hard work and at the end of my run too, I am afterall still a baby runner.

I am determined to conquer my nemesis slowly but surly I shall chip away at it, though I won't be trying it every run.

And so my walk home with my brain going - I need a wee, I need a wee, I need a wee, why is it still so far, I need a wee, I need a wee, I need a wee.

It's good to be at home, water, wee, feed hoard, tea, shower, bed.

The photo is of my nemesis looking down, it doesn't look so bad does it? But it carries on, that's not all of it, it's long and drawn out and when you start it, it appears there is no end in sight.

Just remembered some good bits of Nottinghamshire - there is clumber park that's nice, wollaton park also nice, and the local bunny rescue.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Hi Spoonie, another great blog. I now know Lassie's guilty secret AND that I'm not the only one with the little voice that says I need a wee, I need a wee...

Well done for almost getting to the top of your nemesis, you will prevail eventually, who knows, maybe next time. Have a great weekend xx

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Another great post, Spoonie! That hill does look unpleasant: the gradual inclines are awful. Nothing wrong with taking a bit of a walk break on something like that. Nottinghamshire, of course famous for Robin Hood; always amuses me that the airport in Doncaster is named after him! Clumber Park is indeed very pleasant. I'm sure the county does have other things going for it but I can't think at the minute and it's not an area I frequent very often. Lincolnshire is very pleasant, which I know is neither here nor there, but still.

Hills just at the start/end of a run can be truly unpleasant but at least you tackled your nemesis!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Yes there is Robin Hood. I was perhaps a little mean, I do like Nottinghamshire, my issue is generally with nottingham city. Oh and I still get bemused at being referred to as 'duck'

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Hi well done! How about turning round when you feel you can't go any further up hill and do a nice 5 mins going back down the slope?

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you. It didn't actually occur to me to turn around and run down for the last section, I was just concentrating on getting nearer to home, but I shall remember that for next time I take it on.

[Hidden]

Well done on completing the second run of week 8 - not far to go now and you'll have that shiny badge. Great blog as usual - good luck with your next run and best wishes.

[runningphobe_no_more Graduate]

I'm amazed you got past the weird dry spaniels - with a canal in sight, too. I think their owner is cruel! My spaniel loves jumping in so much, he learned to climb a ladder to get out.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to runningphobe_no_more]

They weren't even on leads so could have gone in. Mine I struggle to keep him out.

[misswobble Graduate]

Megadeth! LOL Well done Spoons! Another run under your belt

Have you run in Sherwood Forest or Rufford Abbey park. NO? Neither have I but I bet it's nice. Lincolnshire is lovely and folks think it's flat but oh no it aint. It's got Wolds!

I thought the Clumber park run was on Sunday but sadly not. Darn it!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I bet Sherwood Forest and rufford would be great, but sadly a little far to drive for just a run. I am heading to clumber park on Saturday for the park run and then meeting up with lots of sprockers