Well, yes ... and here we go again.
Sunday morning. I haven't run a step since the last time I joined the
Jog Shop Joggers. Deliciously clear skies, a rising sun, the shyest of breezes whispering out of the east and a healthy collection of eager runners set the scene for perfect running theatre. Talk of distances and routes filled the gently warming air, the players casually stretching and making last-minute adjustments to water-belts, sunglasses and an ecclectic assortment of headgear. My own schedule was pre-ordained, set to minimum as I embarked on yet another disjointed comeback.
With more long-haul travel on the immediate horizon I'm fully aware that I'll be back here in four weeks or so going through the same process, yet it's important to 'get one in' whilst I can, to remind the legs and lungs that I'm not done with them just yet. November promises opportunities galore for mid-week and weekend outings. Who knows? I might even get back to
ParkRun one of these Saturdays.
Today was all about getting round so I set off at an easy pace, mindful of my last breathless start on this 12 kilometre Wire course. I managed to chug along with an agreeable quartet of newbies, chatting about their aspirations - all aiming for an inaugural outing at the
2010 Brighton Marathon - dispersing modest drops of wisdom visa vis running these beautiful hills. My approach to oncoming inclines is to embrace them, to welcome their rise from the landscape with a grin, to adjust my stride, get my head down and plod on until they join the less notable miles behind me. Repeat until finished. It's a recipe that's stood me in good stead for some years. I no longer fear hills but see them as allies on my journey, great breaker-uppers of flat monotony, to be eagerly anticipated and enjoyed. The reaction of my new companions was typical when faced with such indoctrinatory psychobabble, yet in the weeks to come they'll see the True Wisdom and learn to love the hills.
I'm pleased with my effort, an hour and fifteen minutes of honest if unremarkable toil. In the yoyo world that is Swederville I'll be joining SP and a cluster of fellow society golfers tomorrow evening for an official tour of Lewes's Harvey's Brewery followed by a (late) evening in the Spice Merchant. The Great Man has postponed our Summer Matchplay final, due to be played pre-brewery tour, citing 'pressures of work'. An all too familiar scenario here at Chez Sweder I'm afraid.
Below: 3 miles in, Saltdean
