I hate running shops ..

[Seafront Plodder]

For the first time in a long time my weekend longee was, well at the weekend. 5.5 miles along the seafront in one direction - stiff breeze in my back and getting pushed along. Followed by 5.5 miles into the same stiff breeze. That’s 11 miles that is.

The return leg was akin to running through treacle, and after a while the noise in the ears from the wind becomes almost impossible to bear and you’d give anything, just to get into some shelter for a few moments.

I felt somehow empty on the drive back. It’s difficult to explain but none of the usual post-run exhilaration was there. The lower back was still giving me jip and my ears hurt.

It wasn’t until half way through the first beer that I talked myself into believing that, yes! It was a success. A hard run, hilly and windy as it was, and the longest of the year!

After the third beer I made a decision. I had had (wording especially selected for Antonio) my shoes since last August, and since they got me through training for Dublin, the race itself, and every yard I’ve run since, they were probably shot to bits.

The chap in the running shop concurred…………. I left his shop with a spanking new pair of Saucony Grid Hurricanes, a bright yellow lightweight wind-jacket thing, a new pair of thorlo socks, enough SIS powder to make 26 litres, and £150 lighter. Did I say I hated running shops?

I can’t wait to go out again tonight to try them all out. I only intend to only do 5 miles! Totally unscheduled, but just far enough to see whether ……………..well you know.