August 2011

[Sweder]

You know me BB, I don't really do 'plans'.
I have however spent a week off work (at home) putting in some morning hillwork, topped off yesterday with my first real middle distance effort in some months.

Brighton running appears to have divided into franchises, enclaves of like-minded runners each pursuing their goals along similar routes. The Jog Shop group are not currently active, at least not in an organised sense. Run, however, have started Sunday morning outings for those of us with autumn races or looking to get a lead on the big Spring marathons. I joined the Run group, ably lead by none other than our very own Gillybean, for a lope to the Wire. This was a 12 kilometre round-trip taking in some tasty undulations along the east Brighton cliff tops. Moylebird was on hand to offer some company at the back of the pack and we chatted all the way out to the pit stop at Telscombe. I was pleasantly surprised at my residual fitness whilst at the same time nonplussed at my inability to keep pace with the bulk of the runners. C'est la vie; I'll need stamina, not speed, on my P2P challenge.

During the conversation I learned that local runners Fiona and Cathy had attended Haile Gabrselassi's invitational run in Ethiopia a couple of months back. I say attended; they placed first and second respectively, all finishers shaking the Great Man's hand at the finish which would be worth the airfare alone to many. My mind boggled to think I've run/ trained with these two, albeit a lightness short of that standard. Then my heart sank as I realised the shape I might be in had I kept up my training over the past couple of years.

No use crying over spilt milk though; there's much to be pleased about after this outing. I finished well, jogging home in 70 minutes with miles still in my legs, breathing steady and still able to talk along the way. It's a good start. Next Sunday I hope to complete a leisurely Snake route, around 17 kilometres or so, with that eponymous climb offering a P2P taster.

On on!