Monday 21 August 2006

The long march might just have started -- yet again.

No running to report, but at least this week I've tasted the unfamiliar raw, crunchy texture of a health drive for the first time in several months.

I wrote the above 10 days ago, but a football match or two and some compulsory socialising undid the good work in no time. Today's the start of a new week, illuminated by another flash of fresh resolve, and after this evening I really do have some running to report. Or at least, a faltering, leaden plod. But enough to revive the sensation of pleasantly aching calf muscles. Not something I've known in a while.

It was nothing more newsworthy than my standard 3.5 miles around the block, and it was the expected stop-start affair. But it was, I hope, the true start I thought I'd made 6 weeks or so ago. Learning from that rather embarrassing experience, this time I'll keep the bugles concealed for a few days more.

The jaunt was featureless. A couple of cars passed me in the lane, and a man in a field, practising his golf swing, nodded as I plodded. At the point where I have to stop to cross the busy A340, I checked my watch. 24 minutes. I usually get here by 18 minutes, and 16 if I'm up for a scrap with my inner sandbag. Then past the fibreglass cow. Her painted, quizzical head, poking through the top of the beech hedge, always startles me as I pant past, suspended in some remote reverie. Half a mile further on, past the allotments and the quaint old disused fire station... I hear an odd jangling sound. Another 100 yards, and I realise my key is no longer in my back pocket. I gloomily retrace my steps but fortunately it's easy to spot, smack in the middle of the black pavement. And that was my big adventure this evening.

The impetus for the outing was an email I received this morning in response to an enquiry: Hi Andy, I have checked the database and you are indeed registered to run in the O2O 10K this year. The runners packs have not been sent out yet, but you should receive something by next week. Good luck! Regards, Karin.

The race is in 13 days time. If I can get there, and get round without finishing last, I've a good chance of creating enough momentum and enthusiasm to gradually slip into a proper training plan again.

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