February 2006

[Sweder]

A bustling, hard-working effort this morning. The rain took time off to let the sun peek out as I left the house. My legs took their own sweet time to warm to the task of plodding uphill into a decent headwind, rustiness enforced by an extra days' rest. This was unplanned; despite Sundays' difficult run I felt good yesterday morning. I was just stretching my limbs in the haven of a nicely warmed duvet when the bedroom door opened to reveal Mrs S bearing a tray laden with a magnificent breakfast feast; heart-shaped eggs, rashers of lean bacon, chipolatas, cherry tomatoes and granary toast escorted by hot coffee and orange juice. Oh my! This well and truly put the kibosh on my dawn raid on the hills.

I ruminated on this wonderful gift this morning as I slipped and slid my way toward Blackcap. Progress was steady at best; if I'm honest more like the wrong side of pedestrian. I reasoned the return, complete with turbo-charged tail-wind, would see an improvement, and so it proved. Just after the summit of the ‘Cap heading east the track dips into a mini-valley then climbs sharply for 400 metres. This is probably the toughest section on the homeward leg; I flew up there today, light as a feather. I considered throwing a little Fartlek in, the thought instantly discarded like a flake wrapper in a high wind. I did manage to step on the gas for the last climb to the stables (about 200 metres or so), feeling suitably knackered at the top.

No run tomorrow then, just a sedentary plod on Friday before the Brighton Half. I reviewed possible tactics for the race as I scampered back today. If the wind maintains its strength and direction through the weekend my race will consist of an opening 4 miles into a strong headwind, a supercharged 6 or so eastwards with the final 3 hilly miles once again into the gale. If I purloin SPs Garmin - the return of Niguel - I'll have to build a healthy lead by mile 10 or the gig will be up. Food for thought indeed.