My chest is still a bit tight and I’m still fatigued, so this is my first run for days. Kate and I went to Shotover, a national park/nature reserve kind of place in Oxford. The day was cold but sunny, perfect weather for a steady off road run taking photos.
I didn’t wait long enough for my watch to lock on properly to a satellite, with the result that I lost the first half of this run - which is a pain as I was actually going at an easy, steady 6.30-7.30min/km for most of it (I know because I kept looking at my watch). After weeks of really slow running, it’s a relief to find I actually can get my pace up a bit, though too late for the half marathon.
We ran through autumn woods along very muddy paths with a lot of huge puddles. The recent rain has left its mark. There were glorious views of countryside alight with autumn colour, including around the folly, which is an 18th century temple recently renovated (see sign). Just a sparkling, glorious run. There were loads of people out on horseback or with dogs, and several other runners.
I took my inhaler with me this time, which I’ve never done before but my chest isn’t 100% yet. Even so, I had to walk for short stretches uphill, then walked the last quarter of a kilometre as I was fatigued by then. Still, I’m way better than I was a few days ago, and running in the fresh air lifted my spirits. I’m interested in how these long runs like half and full marathons seem to strain the immune system. I’m not the only one to comment on that.
On the way back we got caught up in the massive motorbike parade for that policeman who was shot recently - literally hundreds of them, many flying the thin blue line flag. They are still passing my house over an hour later.
HM training week6 day5
Watch trial and long run
Back On The Road With A 4K
Cross Training
