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It's getting better
The only sounds were our synchronised feet pounding the turf, and the rasping of our breath.
In different ways, both Rob (OATR) and I have had difficult weeks, so we knew an evening run to Blackcap wasn’t going to be the usual joyous affair, but more an opportunity to switch off for an hour. The silence between us for the first mile or two was stark. Running side to side, lost in our own thoughts but appreciating the company. It wasn’t until we broke through the last gate before the Blackcap peak that we started to chat. Chatting about the trivial things, the usual aches and pains of running.
We ran a steady pace to the top where I threw myself to the ground for a moments recovery before we turned tail to run back over Mount Harry and then the long decline into town.
The run felt slow and stilted, the high pollen count causing the need for several stops to catch my breath. As is usual these days, Rob ran steadily throughout, working his pace like a metronome. On our return, my stats told a slightly different story. Even with the frequent stops, it was quick – quicker than expected.
As I trotted down the hill home, having said goodbye to Rob, I felt as though we both needed that. A sense of shared solitude out on our beloved hills.
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