his is such a late update that it is almost a down-date if such a thing exists.
I have been really busy with work for the last couple of weeks and have only just squeezed in my training. But there have been some highlights particularly the longer evenings and the appearance of all the spring flowers particularly daffodils. At my speed I have the opportunity to appreciate wild-life. The other day between Asterley and Farley I followed the brightest yellow butterfly along the side of the road before finally overtaking it!! It made me smile in between all the heavy breathing!
I am developing an increasing understanding of the title “The loneliness of the long distance runner” as I undertake longer runs. Although there were a few too many people at the Anglesey Half Marathon for my comfort at least watching others is more distracting than looking at the road wondering why an uphill in one direction remains an uphill going the other way? I am reminded of the classic Father Ted episode where the car containing Father Jack falls over the cliff.
Mileage wise all is good – I achieved my target last week and hopefully by the time I do the 16 mile run on Saturday I will achieve my longest run this year. Hang On – 16 miles!!! I keep mapping different routes but I think I shall be extending my usual half-marathon and include a loop so that I can leave some drink rather than carry it. It is so good on an organized run that there are feed-stations and I would like to take this chance to thank all those helpers at every event who stand outside offering drinks and encouragement to those of us at the back of the field who are keeping them waiting around. This cannot have been any fun on the Anglesey Half where the torrential rain was bad enough for those of us who were moving. Thank you.
I was really annoyed with myself yesterday evening. I had been working in Stoke and stopped in Shrewsbury to do a 5 mile riverside run. It was becoming twilight and the setting sun on the river and the daffodils were stunning. And I left my phone / camera in the car – missed the opportunity to capture the scene, particularly looking over towards the Quarry from the Shrewsbury School bank. If you enjoy running by water then Shrewsbury is such a lovely town. And it is good fun to make the suspension bridge wobble!!
I am looking forward to next week. I have to go to Southampton with work and hopefully will get a run by the sea. Then on Thursday it is the launch of Out of the Blue where my charity Best Beginnings are launching there new project. I am hoping to meet some of the other members of the Best Beginnings Marathon team – I only know them through What’s App and it will be good to put faces to names although on the actual day I shall only see the majority of them from behind.
I shall post this update in a minute and then add some images / screen captures so make it a bit brighter.
Thanks to Sue and Peter Johnson and Anna and her family for the pledges and encouragement on my Virgin Money page.
Keep Plodding,
AJMB