January 2012

[marathondan]

Sunday - last run of the month, 9 miles step back easy pace around the field. Completely overcast, but I know the paths well enough now to not need a torch. The going is getting really sticky again and my road shoes gained a few pounds over the course; also there are some deep hoof prints which are occasionally testing my ankles.

I was chased by the big dog again - I guess his owner was around somewhere - he (the dog) doesn't seem to want to catch me, just hang back about 10 yards so I can hear his panting and footsteps. This does tend to quicken the pace somewhat, although I'm not worried about him now. Fine until next time it's some escaped rabid mutt, abandoned after a Dangerous Dogs Act prosecution, and I don't realise until it's too late.

Talking of predators, I also saw a couple of blokes with a bird of prey. They set it off, replete with reflector, for a little flight just as I plodded past. Given the hour, I guess it was an owl.

Audio was Marathontalk again; it was their second birthday episode so had put together a best-of compilation of interview clips. A couple stood out for me:

1. A reminder of the Steve Jones definition of a marathon: a 10K race with a 20 mile warmup.

2. The story of Liz McColgan's 1991 New York marathon. She'd just won the 10,000m world championship, and a couple of the world's best marathon runners (Ethiopians I think) were asked at a press conference whether they thought she could move up to the marathon - answer no. The race director rang her and mentioned this, so she cancelled her rest period, rocked up in New York 6 weeks later and won her debut marathon.

Post-run snack (me, not Liz): leftover roast veggies (mostly sweet potato).

January total: 13 runs, 86 miles