Running down hill – not in the physical, geographical sense, using gravity to go faster, but in the metaphorical sense of a clock winding down and stopping.

Much has happened (running wise) in the two weeks since my last post.  The day after Wokingham I checked the results website and was quite pleased. Trouble was – I then checked it the following weekend and I was now 7 seconds slower. I know – because like a complete saddo I downloaded the first set of results. 7 seconds slower.  7 seconds!! To Usain Bolt that's about 80meters.....

I always thought  that the reason for wearing a “chip” in a race was so that you had an accurate time for the race, so I find it hard that comparing the times that were posted on Monday and then on Sunday to find that it was the chip time that had been changed. The bib time merely confirms that I started running 6 minutes after Liz Yelling started, once I’d got myself free of the pram pushers and dog walkers at the back. It doesn’t alter the fact that it was still a PB, but not by quite as much as I had hoped.

The week after Wokingham saw me run on Wednesday – a very early run into a strong wind. I managed 10k but it was heavy going. Friday saw me head off to a local industrial estate after work – I had an hour to fill before the rest of the family got home, and having found a 1km block to run round, I did so 5 times for a speedy (for me) 5k. I must confess that I did get some odd looks from a few people when I ran past for the fifth time.

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for running. Clear sky, sunny no wind. Sadly I was at work. Sunday  on the other hand was a dreadful day for running. Driving rain and wind. As we had to get our German exchange student to Salisbury for 7am it seemed a good time to run. Well, it seemed good till I stepped outside. Even though I wore a cagoule I was wet before Mr Garmin found his buddies in the sky and the country lane that always starts my runs was actually now a river – the ditches on either side completely full and overflowing. For the first time ever, having got to the top of the hill, I turned round and came home. Drenched is one thing, I can cope with that, cold and drenched is a different league but survivable. Freezing and drenched is the Champions League of misery, and that’s where I was.

Last Monday was back to the piano practice route –setting another quickest time for the three lap circuit and Wednesday was gym day – again some intervals on the dreadmill – even managed a bit on the concept 2 this time.

So to  this morning. I was out early (6:30 ish) and although the frost was still on the ground, I kept moving and eventually warmed up. Trouble was the pace that I had earlier in the week had all gone. I struggled all the way. I actually felt ashamed – having watched the programme on Eddie Izzard earlier in the week. If you missed it – try getting it on BBC Iplayer if you can. So I trudged round 12 and a bit miles today, no pace, no energy but at least I ran.

Perhaps the lack of pace will be OK – I got my Reading stuff through and I am at the back with the pantomime horses!

I suppose I am glad to have got a poor run out of my system and will be back doing the same routine this week in preparation to Reading two weeks tomorrow.

Take care where you are – sorry this seemed quite  a long post.