... it's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day ... much to the muttered annoyance of Mr Ramblings who started his marathon in hideous conditions yesterday and finished dripping wet and white with cold 4hours 12minutes and (don't miss off) 24seconds later.
I celebrated the day of sunshine and, while Mr Ramblings was at home recovering, headed off in the morning with Poppy on a different route turning right up a gentle slope instead of left along the bottom of the dreaded hills. There must have been a spring in our step because the workmen repairing fences didn't snigger, just a cheery hello (perhaps we look like real runners? They can't have seen me running round in circles with Poppy doing her stuff in the centre earlier). Through the gate (literally for Poppy) at the end of the field and onto a muddy track, there was no getting away from the fact that the puddles in this drought are huge but I actually leapt over one! Wouldn't have done that in week 1. The humid air was encouraging huge flies with dangly legs and big teeth to hover over us (wonder what they were?).
Poppy and I diverted into a drier field away from the flies by which time I began to realise just how far we had come, not just in the last few minutes, but in the last few weeks. I truly thank God who designed our bodies to recover so amazingly after years of neglect. Poppy is clearly a C25k dog, healthier and almost opposite to her moth-eaten (she still doesn't like the word), stiff-hipped and slightly incontinent former rescue kennel self who was unable to get up stairs. I promised her if she got through this she'd get her photo on this blog so now you can all see what she's like (back on the couch with muddy paws!).
We passed by the local schools on the outskirts of town and I realised that we'd probably got there quicker on foot than we could have done by car along the busy road. It was hot in the sunshine so we climbed back into the woods only to be met by a pigeon fight. Feathers flying everywhere stuck to my sweaty face and arms. As we tramped through the wet undergrowth and nettles I was glad of long trousers and stout running shoes - I'm definitely not converting to the barefoot running trend (read about that in Runner's World ... what's happening to me? I never used to be interested before?).
Back through the gate just after the halfway point to head towards home down the slope (I've learned to save the downhill bits for the end!) but didn't anticipate a side effect of running faster downhill. Must get shares in Tena Lady. Laura was telling me that I only had 60 seconds to go (even in short run those seconds are important) but I didn't feel like stopping so ran a couple of minutes more!!
Endomondo let me down again, he told me that I'd been out for 44 minutes but nothing else. I'm not one to give up on relationships but I think it would take more than a bit of work to sort this one. Breaking up is hard to do, but can anyone recommend other apps that might give me more help on my runs?
That's it! I've really done it! After all the ups and downs from being a secret runner when 60 seconds was almost too much through to the big reveal on Easter Sunday, to a blip at week 8 when I was ready to give up and on to now where I'm halfway to 60 minutes. The route planner on GoodRunGuide.co.uk said that I'd covered just over 4km! The furthest I've been before and it makes 5km look achievable? Maybe not in 30 minutes, but, as Laura says, 'it's distance not speed'. I couldn't have done it without the support of this community. Heartfelt thanks to you all.
Can I have my badge now?
Next thing you and Mr Ramblings will be doing marathons together! 
Little run after work that turned into an adventure! 😄
Week 9 Run 3 done!
Week 8 has gone the way of the Dodo
Off the injury couch and out run by kids!
Poppy power....
