It's a week since I ran last. Did my first ParkRun last Saturday morning. It wasn't a great run, yet I clocked a decent time. My main concern was fueling myself properly for the morning start.
In the interim I took advice from daughter's boyfriend (who is a very decent club runner and in training for marathons next year), bought a new running shirt (bright yellow much to my wife's horror (although it doesn't glow in the dark as she feared-I caught her lurking in the dark with it to check), and some energy gels. And some hi VI's arm bands with LEDs.
All this because the clocks had gone back. And yet I didn't go out once-kept finding excuses-too dark, too wet, too tired and "ooh, is that a twinge in my thigh, best leave it..."
And so to 7am this morning (Saturday). I'm Duty Solicitor for the County's police stations, I'm covering Court for the firm, it's *issing down outside.
Ring the cells-we haven't got anyone for Court or you at the moment. And look-the rain's stopping. Mrs B opens an eye-"are you going?". "Oh I don't know-I haven't run for a week. It might be a risk. And look at that weather" "Hmmmph"* (*best representation I can give if someone burying themselves back under the duvet with a "you'll regret that" tone)
And my e Mail alert pings. Couch to 5 k post.
"I've not run for a week-should I repeat previous week".
The sage advice-you'll be fine, you've built up enough fitness to just continue after a short break.
Damn you. Final excuse destroyed.
And so to Parkrun. And you sage advisers were spot on. Little bit harder than previously, but Parkrun 2 in the rapidly drying morning complete. Far fewer runners than last week-suspect the weather put a few off. Pfft. Not me.
Never in doubt. Back on track.