August

[Sweder]

James Dean, James Dean,
Too fast to live, too young to die
Bye-bye . . .

So sang the Eagles on their debut album. I am neither, and I took to the hills above Lewes this lunchtime as if seeking proof. Following a week of rest and recuperation to see off cellulitis (successfully it seems) I opted for a lie-in this morning, missing the planned run from Hove Park. By lunchtime I’d scarfed scrambled egg and toast n honey and felt like a gentle lope.

Just over ten miles was all I needed to get the legs spinning, the last two and a half miles run on tired, wobbly legs. Conditions were cool and blustery, the ground rock hard despite a few recent showers. I thought about the route as I ran. The hills to Blackcap are challenging enough, but this sort of easy longer track does not harbour the challenging climbs and perilous descents I’ll need to prepare for the Jog Shop Jog (around two months away) or the Two Oceans next April. Harsh hill reps along my normal week-day route should strengthen my climbs and improve overall stamina.

For now I’ll chill out, see if there’s any reaction to what was a very leisurely run and look forward to building up once more.