November 2011

[Sweder]

Another Tuesday Dogs' day with Ladyrunner and the lovely Amber. I really didn't have the legs or the lungs for it this morning. Who knows why this happens? The conditions were excellent; misty, drizzly downland, slippery flint, shining wet grass, a cool (but not cold) breeze and slate grey skies. Ideal running weather for us hill-dwellers. Within ten minutes I knew this would be a struggle. My legs felt heavy and tight, full of residual lactic acid. I thought about this and realised I'd drunk little to no water over the past few days, hence the debilitating waste constricting my muscles. 'Flush it out' is a great maxim, one I'd do well to heed over the next two weeks.

LadyAmber, that six-legged hill-beast, chomped up the muddy yards, heading into the fog as it thickened towards the tops of the hills. I laboured in her/ their wake, huffing and puffing like an old man, legs stiff, arms pumping in a futile effort to get things moving. My hounds bounded effortlessly around me, weaving back and forth across the leaf-strewn muddy trails, grinning wildly, tails wagging as they galloped here and there.

The return leg proved easier, some of the stiffness easing as we ran eastwards. I always like to take something positive from any outing no matter how poorly I perform. Today it was that I got out there, that it was a 'bad' run out of the way and that on our return the coffee was hot and tasty. Thanks to Julie for dragging me out. I have no doubt had I been alone I'd have cut the run short, not something I can afford to do this week.