Nineteen to the dozen
Mar1920111 p.m.
It seems a day
(I speak of one from many singled out)
One of those heavenly days which cannot die;
I am borrowing from Wordsworth for my opening lines today - from my favourite poem of his called Nutting - and only because the sunshine today has put a new light on things, as it usually does when it turns up in this blessed sceptered isle of ours. Have you noticed people are far more optimistic and happy when the sunshine is out? My run today was such and it was far better than last week's, you'll be pleased to know!
For one thing, I got up early and got my run out of the way without it looming over me for most of the afternoon. Secondly, I had company and thirdly, see the above point re: the weather.
I managed 19 miles on a very nice little loop from Richmond up the towpath to Hampton Court and back again (15 miles) and then the final four miles were running home (I say running...I am being generous...I ran, but it was v.much slower and my feet, knees, glutes were all in full-on complaint mode by then,..) but I made it. I made it and fell against the station sign and stretched out, shoving a Kit-Kat crunchy into my mouth as I did so. Yes, I am oh, so elegant aren't I?
I feel encrusted with salt (I have had some gulps of water with a nuun tablet in to ensure my salts are up, so don't worry!) and I ache but the sun is shining and I just ran 19 miles. How nuts is that?! It's actually insane, but there you go.
It's amazing what a difference a week and some lovely weather makes. Hampton Court looked beautiful and the towpath was full of runners - we're all doing those final few runs before the actual day. We're all mad people, and we grin at each other with that knowingness of being uncomfortable but knowing that there is a whole heap of satisfaction at the end of it all.
Four weeks to go, people. I was told that I might want to burn my trainers after all this - and I did think that if I could just find someone with a lighter along the route around 13/14 miles that I would probably do that. I didn't though, but I can see why people threaten to do it.
Right - time to eat and EAT a lot. Mmmmmm.
Have a great weekend people.
One more long run before tapering (thank the LORD!)
Hugs
CP xxx
Post views 429
Comments (6)
Way_Too_Slow 'You sound in a great mood for just having run 19 miles!! A huge well done, it's only natural that you are aching, but it's a good, well deserved ache isn't it?? Only 4 weeks to go. If I remember right, you can hardly think of anything else by now! Things are looking good! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.' added 19th Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate
JoCompton '19 miles, well done!! My husband thought I was mad the other day when I told him to touch my face as it was covered in salt, yuck. I'm with you though, after tomorrow for me, only 1 more hard week and the that magic word, taper!' added 19th Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate
Flumptious 'Well done! I often run past Hampton Court too, as I am in Walton-on-Thames. I often run along the riverside path, thinking how lucky we are to have such a lovely place to run nearby. Off to bed, to get ready for going back to Hampton Court tomorrow! Flump' added 19th Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate
juliebee 'Well done on your happy run - I have officially done my last LSR today - 21 miles - and although I am not tapering during the week yet I am not pushing myself with one more over 20 mile long run. I actually have just realised that I fly out in 3 weeks time - better start to think about that now instead of running and fund raising :)' added 20th Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate
Account_closed 'Well done on your 19miles, a great achievement. Not long now before the tapering.' added 20th Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate
onthefloor04 'Nun tablet - just add water and instant Julie Andrews! 19 miles in the sun - top work.' added 21st Mar 2011
Report as inappropriate