...having so many beaches to choose from!
I had no intention of going anywhere near the beach this morning when I set out...in my snazzy new running gear and over 2 hours later than usual. As I warmed up I started to plan a route in my head that would involve as few encounters as possible with muggles. I decided to take a route that involved running along a fairly main road before I could slip off down a pretty steep track to a lower pathway, along the seafront. I'm so glad I did! The view was absolutely stunning with the sun sparkling on the water and the breeze coming off the sea was well needed. All this route planning and decision making had distracted me from my running and when I actually focused on what I was doing, I realised that I was running much faster than usual and covering way greater distance. On the 8 min run I thought that Laura had deserted me and was away down the prom for an icecream, cos I was running and running and she still hadn't announced I was half way yet! My increased speed came back to bite me on the bum! The hill that I had planned to hit just as I was starting to walk, came upon me way too fast and I ended up having to run up it. I doubt this hill would stand up against the others you all talk about, it's possibly more of a slight incline, but for me a hill is a fecking hill!! But yeah I got up it and was even able to carry on!
Now, I wasn't planning on running on the beach today but since I had gone to all the effort of running up the hill, I thought I'd do my last 5 min run on the beach. Also my local Park Run is on the beach so I thought I'd see just how tough it is to run in sand. It is!! It just zapped the energy from my legs but I did it... And still managed the 2k walk home!
I'm more delighted with today's run than I was with w5r3. I have deliberately avoided focusing on the numbers and statistics that so many of you love. I have no idea how much further I ran today but I was a lot. My breathing was easier and the running just felt more comfortable. And what made the difference today? My brand new hot pink running top of course!!!!