August

[Sweder]

Wow, what a fabulous run!
Took my own advice yesterday and enjoyed a morning off, letting the aches and pains in my legs subside. I did look longingly out of the window as another beautiful day blossomed, but sometimes you just have to rest up. This morning I felt a good deal better. If I were to measure it I'd say I felt fifty percent rested - still a little tight in the legs, but otherwise good.

There are times in a round of golf (they're rare as hen's teeth for me these days) when you tee up the ball, take your driver and step up knowing you're going to hit a belter. There's no rational explanation, no reliable ritual for repeating the experience; it's just a feeling that comes over you as you squint down the fairway; this one's going miles! Stumbling out of the door this morning in a flurry of dogs, leads and earphone wires I just knew I was in for a good one.

Starting a little later than usual after an excellent evening consuming Tim and Mandy's stock of fine red wine over a delightful evening barbeque the temperature was up and rising steadily. A firm, cool breeze came straight off the sea out of a hazy, cloudless sky, cutting across my east/ west trail to provide the perfect aircon essential in the heat. There was no conscious effort made to push it but I felt good from the off, climbing into the outward ascents with a relish I'd not felt in a while.

I kept an eye on my pace; sub eight minute (miles) on the gentler climbs, sub six on the drop off Blackcap. I let my stride lengthen on the downslope, like letting out rope on an abseil, easily, steadily, controlled. It was good to run these faster sections rather than letting my weight fall onto each step as I normally do. I worked hard on the climb to the stables, again maintaining sub-eight pace all the way.

Home in 44:52 with a fastest pace of 4:23 (kms) - still slower than the breakneck 4:06 with Moleman last Saturday. I can go quicker - I have earlier in the year - but rarely have I felt so good about a run.

More BBQ indulgence awaits this evening at the home of the Plodder, Captain Tom already off to the brewery for five litres of heavenly Harvey's. Tomorrow's scheduled ten miler looks like being a good deal more pederstrian, especially with hotter weather in proespect. First, a visit to Seaford beach and a restorative plunge in the English Channel.

Summer, it seems, has finally arrived.