This week has been different though. The running zing has returned. This week I have covered 61 miles on foot in training. And 6 on a bike, which is my new commute to work, which I initially hated, but now love it (a thousand times better than the Northern Line!), and good for the bum muscles. Hurrah!
This renewed enthusiasm I think is partly driven by fear. I'm scared. I am running The Lyke Wake 42 mile race in less than 2 weeks time, and I am running as part of a team (Chapel Allerton Runners). I have never run a distance race as part of a team before, and it gives a different perspective for sure, if I have a bad day I won't let only myself down, but my team too, so I can't let that happen! Nothing like a bit of pressure to get you off the starting block and into the distance.
Today I ran 36 miles in 5 hours and 54 minutes. I ran the same route that I did a couple of times while training for The Woldsman, but today I was about 30 minutes faster! I put this down to my new playlist and new drink. Went to a concert of Friday night of the Philharmonia Orchestra playing hits from the movies. Awesome music, so, inspired I downloaded their Bond album. I listened to this for 6 hours. I think I know it pretty well now. Goldeneye? Tick. Die Another Day? I got you. Moonraker? Easy! I also drank 1L of eleyctrolye drink and 1.5L of water, which I think helped with the body, while the music helped the mind.
I also have a new accessory. To say it has changed my life is an exaggeration, but it has improved the running experience massively for something so simple, and it's brilliant! All it is a elasticy piece of material that goes around your arm, I wear it on my wrist above my watch, and it has a pocket inside, that is big enough to hold a small bag of sweets/ phone! It is so much easier than holding them in a hand! £5.99 from Runners Need. Recommend it!
Running around Richmond Park, a man cycled towards me, pointed right at me, and shouted "GOING THE WRONG WAY!" At least, in my little Bond immersed, slightly low-sugary world at 22 miles into my run, that is what I heard. I thought it was a little odd. He didn't know where I was going. How could he know I was going the wrong way? Oh! I thought, of course, he must have said, "you're going a LONG way". No wait, that doesn't make sense either. How does he know how far I'm going? Oh.
I pondered for a few more steps. Then I remembered what I was wearing - he had pointed at my Chapel Allerton Runners vest and he must have shouted "NO WAY?!". By the time this had registered, and I turned round to acknowledge the fellow Chapel Alltertoner, he'd already cycled off., probably thinking I was very rude. Oops. I wish I wasn't so slow.
