Jo Cool I Can Count On You - Week 2 Run 2

[Jancanrunagain]

Still sticking with Retro Runner Numbers soundtrack, I eventually got out to run, after the following stats

One mug of tea

One dog walk with two dogs and Mr JCR

Two tree trunks split and cut for firewood - all I did was hold the splitter, so no thoughts about me being a lumberjack...

Six cups of coffee - one at home, two at the bar, two more at friend's house and one after lunch

One refusal of Christmas Pudding to accompany coffee at friend's. She's Colombian Dutch living in Italy but loves English Christmas Pudding - it's beyond me why - truly a global citizen.

Lena Lovitch was finishing off Lucky Number as I left the house into the Slope of Hope on the warm up walk.

Entering Mill Lane to The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans I realised the track was way too fast for a comfortable run, and it was quickly followed by T Rex and 20th Century Boy. This tempo could be a real issue, luckily enough Elbow started with One Day Like This, a much better pace for a snail.

All was fine entering Lovers' Lane, and pootling onto the Forbidden Field, then I lost Jo Cool and thought I should have been running, sadly for me I started the third run about halfway through the second walk interval, no wonder I was somewhat tatered. I seemed to zone out of the instructions and started running because it felt right - but doh it wasn't!

Still no-one was about so on the bendy scary road, I was able to collect my breath and thoughts and start afresh, actually listening to Jo rather than selective listening. Ahead of me a mobile traffic jam - three folk and a dog. Oh Lord, that's the last thing I need another audience, Luck was in, they turned off so I could continue the snail pace without witnesses.

Eventually the Slope of Hope came into view and Jo Cool told me it was almost time for the last run - she sounded very perky, I sounded very knackered, as I seem to manage to time my entry onto the Slope Of Hope at the precise time the last run starts. At a 15% gradient it's no fun and I must confess I stopped for a 5 second breather and then ran (JCR speak for spluttered) back down the slope to catch my breath.

With a rasping breath Nena and 99 Red Balloons came on. Oh how I wished there had been some that I could hitch a lift from, especially as my face I'm sure would have matched each one of those balloons perfectly.

Nonetheless - run number five done, which is almost 20% of the programme. Zager and Evans had left me with an ear worm, so to thank them, here is my alternative lyrics. ( I looked up the original - blimey it's a lot bleaker than I'd imagined)

Not sure they scan quite properly, but they do reflect my mood today

In the year 2025, JCR wants to run only 5

With a New Year’s resolve, I may find

In the year 2025

Ain't gonna need to diet, I’ll tell you why

Every mile I run today will stay

In my muscles all the way

In the year 2025

Jo Whiley’s keeping me keen

Even though snail pace is serene

And 5 k is not so mean

In the year 2025

My arms hangin' limp at my side

My legs got too much to do

This forum is helping me, phew

In the year 2025

I didn’t plan what to do

Want to keep running forever too

Please keep me going all of you…

Counting down to the finish of Week 2 yay...

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

You've had a busy day and still have the energy to write new lyrics! You know, I forgot about Zager and Evans until this very moment, still got 500 years to go though

Sounds like a great run. As a fellow snail I sympathise with the reluctance to run past people, especially as it always seems to happen when I'm about to either turn round or stop. Don't want these total strangers to think we're slacking, we're going as fast as we're built for!!

[Jancanrunagain in reply to Yesletsgo]

I read on here a long while ago that the best thing is in your head tell yourself that when they see you they don’t know whether you’ve run 20 yards or 20 miles….

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Jancanrunagain]

I'll be honest, it used to bother me a lot but now I notice them less and less. In the early days though I was embarrassed about everything. If I could have run in an invisibility cloak that would have been just perfect 😂

[Jancanrunagain in reply to Yesletsgo]

I will try and wear a mental invisibility cloak next time out…🙈

[Fitness2025]

Yay! You are doing amazing! And you will continue to be amazing!!

[Jancanrunagain in reply to Fitness2025]

Amazing is as amazing does as my grandma would have said. … but I appreciate your faith in me. Got to get up early tomorrow to run, although I’m 64 I sleep like a teenager…

Let’s hope I don’t have a teenage strop…