Stoptober 2012

[Sweder]

A smashing five mile Fartlek session this morning. Misty, damp, a chill wind nipping at my heels, perfect conditions. After a day off yesterday I felt full of it, opening up the throttle on the hills to work my lungs and test my legs. I charged the climbs and rode the descents, though at one point I clocked sub 6:30 minute pace on the downhill without pushing it.

Regular running has got me here, along with a few lifestyle choices. I'm sticking to the diet pretty well, snacking (when I have to) on nuts, dried fruit and seeds. I felt the benefits this morning. A few more of these and I'll be ready to head back to Parkrun and Sunday cliff top sessions.

This week I've been editing my TOM report from 2007. That race draws me back every now and then. Reading those painful paragraphs again reminds me that I failed in my quest. I wanted sub 6 hours (the old cut-off time for the race). There's unfinished business in the Cape, though Lord knows when I'll be able to get back there. Australia will drain the purse this year. There's an argument for 2014 as I'll be coming off the back of P2P. I could fold in the Steyning Stinger (early March) as a livener, too. Right now the money's not there, but I feel that's all that's stopping me from taking it on. I will run that bloody race again.

I'll post a link to the revised TOM report here when it's up.