The Great Outdoors

Our secret running plan for this weekend (being Caroline’s Birthday weekend) fell through as her Niece decided to have her 1st birthday party this weekend. We’re still planning on doing it at a later date though, so I’m still not going to tell you what it is! 

I wrote this on Wednesday after my run… old skool!

“I’m sitting in my Cabin at Faslane, using pen and paper to put down my thoughts as I have no internet access. I feel inspired to waffle on after the run from which I have just returned.
For some time now I have complained about running out and back from Faslane, and of not enjoying my runs. Well suddenly, the evenings get longer and the sun shines brighter, and I have time and  daylight to fill (not to mention some very cool new trainers!).
I’ve discovered a cracking run which loops away from Faslane, up the Glen Fruin Road (allowing for some serious hill reps, e.g. 2 mins up, 1 min down x 8), followed by about 2 miles of glorious downhill running to destroy whichever leg muscles I haven’t already trashed going up the hill!
I’m even starting to enjoy those out and backs which tormented me just a few weeks ago. This afternoon, I ran my 6 mile out and back (well out and back apart from the loop at the halfway point!) and was reminded why I’m a runner. After 7 snowy miles on Saturday, 14 long miles on Sunday, 6 miles tempo on Monday, and the above mentioned hill session yesterday, today was never going to be anything more than a recovery run/steady plod… the kind of run I generally hate! Armed with just my ipod - no GPS, no watch – I decided to run my six miler, knowing I could turn back and cut it short if necessary. But the sunlight brings with it new treasures… the snow glowing on the tops of the hills, the sun sparkling off the water as a couple of tugs dance on the waves like Anne Widdecombe and her partner on Strictly Come Dancing, the sea breeze blowing the scent of salt water through the air, my ipod shuffling up some classic tunes,  and even the residents of the Faslane Peace Camp are pottering about enjoying the day… peacefully of course! If it hadn’t been for the traffic and the concrete underfoot, I might have thought I was on the trail, miles from civilisation. 
So, why am I a runner? Because even on days when it’s hard work just to maintain a slow pace, when you feel like a pantomime horse taking part in the Grand National, and when the biggest challenge of your run is to get out of the front door in the first place, you are reminded that the outdoors is a fabulous, and beautiful place to be!”

My good form has continued… I’ve run every day this week (twice today!) and covered 53.5 miles. I ran 15 miles yesterday @ 7:22 m/m pace and felt fantastic. My training’s really starting to come together now and I’m thoroughly enjoying being a runner again… now if I can just find a few races to do…

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