W7R1 : Outrunning the route

[HillsEverywhere]

W7R1 was originally planned for yesterday, but yesterday was one unforeseen thing popping up after the other, so I went out this morning. It looks like this week I'll be doing runs 2 and 3 on Thursday and Saturday.

It went better than any of week 6 runs, so I'm reasonably happy with it. I felt much better on my nemesis hill than last time too, although completely drenched in sweat !

I think I need to change my route : today was the first time I actually outran my little 3k loop. I was home before cooldown was over ! I'm also getting fed up with a lady I meet on the first section of my run. She parks her car so as to block the end of the first bit of the hiking path, which means I have to try and squeeze between it and the hedge, and she has three huge dogs which are thoroughly unsocialized (that's the polite way to say hostile and almost aggressive, I suspect it's the reason why she walks them so early) and have no recall at all. So I'd be happy to avoid that bit for a while. Today she didn't even try to keep them near her although she surely could see me approaching from far away, as I was coming downhill towards her on a straight path and my headlamp was on.

I've been looking at local segments on Strava and there's the route of an annual race that takes place here. It's a 4.5k loop, and it nicely steers clear of the Unpleasant Dog Lady's path. I'm really tempted to try it but a bit scared of the hills (it's just one hill after the other, and they don't look too easy either – actually my current nemesis hill is part of the route and it looks like it is the easiest of all). So... I have until Thursday to think about it and decide whether I'm brave enough for it !

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Sorry you have to cope with anti social idiot dog ladies as well as nemesis hills. Well, if you decide to give the new route a try, slow down and small steps on those slopes, and good luck!

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thank you ! Yes, it will be a gentle patter if I try that route.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Why not walk the new route at a gentle stroll on a rest day to get a feel for it before you commit yourself ? Well done for all your progress and commitment ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Oh, that's a great idea ! I'll do that, thanks.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to HillsEverywhere]

Hope it helps ! Happy running 😄