How I have missed you all. No, really I have. I've just got back from a stupendously superb holiday in Paphos, Cyprus where my body has turned a rather fetching shade of bronze!
Despite being a complete lazy slob by day and a boozed up old soak at night, I did manage to keep my running regime in check. On my first outing I decided to retrace my footsteps along the coastal path of the Eastern Med from our hotel into Paphos harbour, where just a year ago I was working my way through C25K on weeks 3 & 4. This year though was soooooo hot and I set off at 5.30pm in temps of 30C. I thought - "I've got my bottle of water. I'm fit. I've not drunk any beer since lunchtime. I'll be fine!"
OH BOY!! It was HARD! But I did manage to jog along right by the edge of the sea into the town and back again, covering a 5K distance in around 30 minutes. I was sweating like a racehorse by the time I'd finished and honestly thought I may have overdone it, as I felt a bit dizzy when I got the lift back to our room where Mrs Dan was waiting with an ice cold raspberry cosmopolitan cocktail!! She sat me down and told me to calm down and gave me words of encouragement like "You're insane to run in this heat!". It helped actually because later that evening we decided to look in at the hotel gym, just to see what it was like. It was deserted (obviously - everyone was on holiday!) and we decided to give it a whirl in a couple of days time - me on the treadmill and Mrs Dan doing her pilates on the mat AND ALL IN AIR CONDITIONING! Get iiiiiin!
Two days later this is exactly what we did. I'd never run on a treadmill before and wondered what it would be like. I love running outdoors but frankly this was the only option available to me. I sure as hell wasn't gonna get up at 5am when it was cool to run outside - I WAS ON HOLS FOR GAWDS SAKE! Plus, I couldn't run at around 7.30pm when it was cooler cos that's when we dressed up for dinner and cocktails daaarrrlling!! So treadmill it was.
I found it a strange sensation, running on the spot and not seeing anything go by. I fiddled around with the speed switch and sort of made up a intervals session - going fast for a few minutes then slow, then repeat etc. I managed 5K and didn't feel any strain at all on my legs or bum muscles. After around 40 minutes on the thing, Mrs Dan was finishing up her pilates, so I did my stretches and that was that. But despite the boring repetitiveness of the treadmill at least I wasn't going to have a heart attack in 30+ degree heat - although, I was sweating like I've never sweated before. I was drenched and looked like I'd been dunked in a barrel of water!
Next day I did another treadmill special and wondered if the running mat on the machine is cushioned in some way? I never really felt I'd run really, and if it wasn't for the sweat pouring from my pores, I didn't feel the usual "ache" so to speak (if you know what I mean?). All in all, I managed 4 treadmill runs and the outside coastal path one which totalled 5 runs, so I was very pleased I'd managed to burn a few of the excessive eating and drinking calories off!
Back in the UK last night, I got up this morning and went for a 5K along my usual route and found it absolutely gorgeous. I really must do another 10K soon cos it's been a month since my "fun run" and I'd like to get back knowing I can do that distance without any trouble. But todays 5 was very good - 28'49 and boy, did I feel it! My legs and bum are doing their usual "Owww!" thing, but in a manageable way!
Hope life is treating you all well and running is continuing to make life feel more great!
Tally ho for now
Dan.
glad you had a good holiday! 
Thursdays run
