Decided to get out bright and early this morning, and my head was telling me that I hadn't heard from Laura for sometime and that it was therefore about time I did a run with a podcast again. I set off with a brisk walk and Laura urging me on, giving me hints and tips about my posture etc. And as I neared the park I was suddenly joined by a new companion. A grasshopper suddenly landed on my hand and looked like he wanted to stay for the ride. As I walked on he gradually made his way up my arm and onto my shoulder. My own Jiminy Cricket, I thought (yes I know he was a cricket - it's in the name- but grasshoppers and crickets are pretty similar). I assumed he was going to act as my conscience and help me when I faltered or if the gremlins made an appearance. And so together the two of us carried on and eventually got to the park and the end of my 5 minutes warm up walk. As Laura started to tell me about the speed intervals I felt relieved that I had my trusty grasshopper conscience on my shoulder to keep me going, but he had other ideas. Before I had even got into my stride he decided it sounded too much like hard work and was off.
Like Pinocchio, I decided I could function perfectly well without Jiminy, but unlike Pinocchio I didn't meet a sly wolf and cat when I got to the woodland, or any other shady and disreputable characters for that matter. There may have been one or two gremlins sitting on my chest during the faster intervals, telling me I couldn't breathe and to slow down, but the lovely Laura was encouragement enough to send those bad boys on their way. And I was so pleased when she announced that I'd completed the 6 speed intervals and I could now slow it down for the walk home.
Who needs a grasshopper running buddy when you have Laura..?