January 2012

[Sweder]

Golf went well (I didn't lose a ball. That constitutes a major success at the moment), Park Run less so. One of those days I'm afraid, listless, no energy, my get-up-and-go had got-up-and-went long before I tumbled out of bed to walk the Raptors. As per usual I struggled to make the start line before the gun, abandoning my car on the perimeter road before jogging the length of the park. I was too late to drop my kit bag under the tree by the finish, nipping across the grass after the start to hurl my rucksack into the pile.

The first lap and a half was a battle of wills; will I pull over to limp back to the cafe and an un-earned cup of coffee or will I stick it out and drag my sorry self across the finish line? My mood was darkened by a hop on the scales before leaving the house. 91.5 kilos, a gain of almost 2 kilos since my last weigh-in. Clearly this is entirely random, unscientific measurement, yet I can't help but feel down hearted at such a set back. After a lap and a half of wanting to stop my countenance was positively pitch black.

Of course I opted for the latter. Quitting in the middle of any race is a bad habit to get into and besides, staying the course turned out to be a good decision. Starting the second full lap (at around 3k) I seemed to speed up. I didn't feel particularly strong yet I reeled in and passed a number of fellow flounderers on the hills. I even managed a bit of a sprint at the end, coming in 140th out of 400-odd in a shade over 24 minutes. On days like this anything under 25 minutes is a bonus.

Up with the lark tomorrow to join the East Brighton mafia for +12 miles in the windy, slippery hills. Almeria looms large, just another (hard top) training session on the long road to Brighton.