I've endured a few days of excuse building and prevarication, but I finally ran out of reasons not to get out this morning, so out I went. I once again elected to take the road of the Ludite, leaving my ‘phone, DAB Radio et al behind. I’m learning to love the timeless run.
A crisp, sunny day bade me welcome on the downs just after 8 am. The hounds were excited; sadly the only females likely to be so at the sight of me thumping down stairs in my shorts and 2004 FLM vest. As on Sunday I vowed to plod easily toward Black Cap, to see how far I’d get before fatigue demanded an about-turn. A gentle westerly breeze brushed against us as we ascended towards the riding stables. I was delighted at the mushy state of the terrain. Heavy rain all last night had ensured a mixture of chalk gravy and sludge along much of the route. I sploshed in the manner of a gleeful 5-year-old through the filthy puddles, splattering my legs and those hounds dumb enough to stay close.
As we crested the ridge past the stables the hitherto welcome zephyr gathered strength. Relaxed and comfortable I slowed my already pedestrian pace, tilting a little further into the breeze.
The lack of radio output revealed my increasingly laboured breathing. My legs felt good; I felt certain the 2.5 mile climb would be completed, albeit in a leisurely manner. Yet the awful, ragged rasping as my lungs fought for air suggested otherwise. I took a walk-break at the entrance to the last field, wondering if this is what I usually sound like at this stage, the disturbing noises drowned out by the Planet Rock soundtrack.
We reached the Cap unscathed, despite Gypsy’s attempts to goad the imposing cattle into a bit of canine/ bovine bullfight action. On the return she once again offered out the rust-coloured grazers. To her surprise and alarm one of the younger cows accepted, bellowing joyfully as she charged for the startled lurcher. A brief chase ensued, but even dumb cattle know when the game is up.
Breeze at our backs it would have been easy to kick for home, but I decided against. For one I’m concerned that too much too soon will result in injury or fatigue; I’d like to close the gaps between these comeback runs. I told myself to run as if I’d planned two circuits, and it pretty much worked; I consciously conserved energy, resisting the temptation to employ the helpful breeze and declining landscape to increase my speed.
Andy wrote recently about comeback sessions and the importance of stringing a few (close) together to shrug off lethargy and rekindle enthusiasm. To plagiarise Kevin Maher in today’s times, I came, I saw, I concurred.
Distance covered: 5 miles
Duration: I have no idea
