Another week (weak) down!!
I am very pleased today. I managed to hit my target despite having to cram all my runs into 5 days as I was working earlier in the week. Susan persuaded me to run on Wednesday when I really did not feel like it but did the Asterley run steady.
Thursday was interesting as it was the day of Storm Doris. I had planned a gentle riverside run from Castlefields in Shrewsbury to the Quarry but the river was high and the footpath closed. I made my way over to the showground and along the footpath into town. Although it was raining it was OK. Over the Welsh Bridge, back over the suspension bridge and along the river. A lot of debris on the ground but not really any problems. It began to rain harder. I reached Longden, crossed the bridge and ran along under the railway bridge to emerge near Asda. Then Doris hit!! Running towards the Abbey she was directly in my face with stinging hail. I was struggling to keep moving through the horizontal rain and hail. I was soaked through. I finally reached shelter and crossed the river again from Monkmoor again straight into Doris. As it was meant to be a threshold run I tried to finish with a burst along by the park past the weir but ran out of steam trying to negotiate the puddles and debris from the trees.
Rest on Friday – went to see the film Lion at the Old Market Hall – an excellent film although one needs a steady supply of tissues. Enjoyed the long shots of the little boy running through vast empty areas – perhaps I might have been better if I had taken up exercise earlier!
Yesterday was again very wet and windy so thankfully a short 3 miler planned. Did my first real off-road of the year across the fields and up to Bromlow Callow. Did a lap of the trees into the wind and then with a tail-wind. The tailwind was so strong that I was halfway around the top for the second time without realising where I was. Descended through the mud and puddles and then decided to follow the footpath (or more accurately the mud-path). Just about kept going across the fields although struggled with the stiles. My only consolation was that there should not be any stiles on the London Marathon! Came up past Geoff’s with the wind behind although still with rain.
The wind behind was the main feature of today’s shorter long run. Planned for 10 and made my way out through Asterley, Farley and Edge. Although the road was very muddy and indeed flooded in places I felt really comfortable and was almost enjoying it. Then I turned back into the wind. Suddenly things got a lot harder. I ended up taking some back roads through Pontesbury so that I was not getting blown about. And as ever, the rain joined in. I also ended up going further than expected and did 11 miles so quite pleased.
Picked up 78 messages on What’s App from others running for Best Beginnings – there are some very fit, fast people running for the team. I don’t think I shall try to recognise any faces as I am sure that I shall only be seeing them from behind!!
Keeping plodding,
Alistair