I’ve just got home to see Bridget Kosgei win the women’s Great North Run in 1hour 4mins. It took me 16 minutes longer to run just under 8km today!!! Mind you, I was running in zone 2.
Scrap that, I was SUPPOSED to be running in zone 2 but there are lots of spikes up into zone 3. This is due to a very bad night’s sleep. My sister has inoperable ovarian cancer and has just come out of hospital after nearly dying with an infection, caused by chemo compromising her immune system. There is now a question mark over whether she can have the last chemo session. Hence a very disturbed sleep on my part.
But there were moments of joy on today’s run. It was very cold when I set out: even Mr IDS, who wears shorts in winter, said how cold it was. But I was sensible and wore long leggings but short sleeves, so I wasn’t too hot once the sun warmed things through. But it really was stunning out today, sunny and sparkly bright. I stopped to smell a huge mass of roses, and again to admire a bed of Michaelmas daisies, so rare nowadays and so pretty with their purple petals and yellow centres.
Lots of runners out today. Something I’ve noticed a lot is that most women, whatever speed they are running, are relaxed and will nod or say hello. Most men look deadly serious, if not downright haunted, are puffing like steam trains and many won’t acknowledge a greeting. I’m not being sexist or exaggerating, it’s a genuine observation. Of course, I do see strained, competitive women on occasion, especially in Oxford where so many students train, but that’s an exception.
Anyway, I shall be happy to do my HM in 3 hours or more - heck, I’ll be happy to get round!
All relative!
HM training week14 day3
